demure

[ dih-myoor ]
See synonyms for demure on Thesaurus.com
adjective,de·mur·er, de·mur·est.
  1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.

  2. affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.

Origin of demure

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) “well-mannered, grave,” from Anglo-French demuré, past participle of demurer “to demur”; perhaps influenced by Old French mur, mëur “grave, mature” (from Latin matūrus); see origin at demur

synonym study For demure

1. See modest.

Other words for demure

Opposites for demure

Other words from demure

  • de·mure·ly, adverb
  • de·mure·ness, noun
  • un·de·mure, adjective
  • un·de·mure·ly, adverb
  • un·de·mure·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with demure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use demure in a sentence

  • Now that she has retired as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, she can demurely admit “sometimes we pushed the envelope.”

    The GOP's Mean Girls | Gail Sheehy | October 17, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Well,” considered Amy demurely, “I suppose the boys might have known better what to do.

  • “You will have to ask some scientist who has gone into the matter more deeply than I have,” Jessie said demurely.

  • In this softened mood she asked him demurely, would he take a friend's advice.

  • When the service is finished they rise, remove their white head-coverings, and return demurely to their quaint little homes.

    Belgium | George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
  • Then he invited her to go to the play, and when she refused demurely, he chuckled with delight.

    Happy House | Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg

British Dictionary definitions for demure

demure

/ (dɪˈmjʊə) /


adjective
  1. sedate; decorous; reserved

  2. affectedly modest or prim; coy

Origin of demure

1
C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature

Derived forms of demure

  • demurely, adverb
  • demureness, noun

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