modestly

[ mod-ist-lee ]

adverb

1. reflecting a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits, importance, etc.; not boastfully:

   He modestly puts all of his success down to timing.

2. in a way that is free from showy extravagance; not ostentatiously:

   For a billionaire, he lives rather modestly in a home he bought decades ago.

3. in a way that shows regard for decency in behavior, speech, dress, etc.:

   When visiting religious sites, avoid offense by dressing modestly: cover your shoulders, torsos, and thighs.

4. within reasonable limits; moderately:

   A modestly priced economy car may be more appropriate for your teenage driver.

Other Words From

• hy·per·mod·est·ly adverb
• o·ver·mod·est·ly adverb
• pseu·do·mod·est·ly adverb
• qua·si-mod·est·ly adverb
• su·per·mod·est·ly adverb
• un·mod·est·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of modestly¹

modest ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Covering the neck and head and dressing modestly became mandatory for women in Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

From BBC

A secret center of the musical theater universe lies almost 3,000 miles from Broadway in a modestly grand house in Toluca Lake.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, ancient people would have encountered a drier, less forested environment—and the sediment core shows charcoal levels rose more modestly than in the more densely forested environment.

From Science Magazine

He modestly shrugged at the suggestion, however, saying there are still “bad days that y’all don’t see.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rather, they nestle down in a corner, modestly flashing by, one after the next, as the slide tray clicks in nonstop rotation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• humbly
• plainly
• quietly
• simply