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modicum

American  
[mod-i-kuhm, moh-di-] / ˈmɒd ɪ kəm, ˈmoʊ dɪ- /

noun

  1. a moderate or small amount.

    He hasn't even a modicum of common sense.
modicum British  
/ ˈmɒdɪkəm /

noun

  1. a small amount or portion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of modicum

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin, noun use of neuter of modicus “moderate,” equivalent to modi-, combining form of modus limit ( mode 1 ) + -cus adjective suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bonds could provide jittery investors with a modicum of safety and income as well.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Yes, traders may be overweight the sector, and parts are richly valued in terms of price-to-earnings multiples, but such factors have caused only a modicum of exposure reduction by investors so far.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 2, 2026

At least not without a modicum of heartbreak.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

“Eternity” understands the desperation for a modicum of autonomy in this world, yet cleverly reminds viewers that having a choice doesn’t necessarily make life any easier.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2025

The flaw in such reasoning, however, would have been obvious to any accountant or investment banker with a modicum of Hamiltonian wisdom.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.