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modest
- 3 dictionary resultsmod⋅est
[mod-ist] 
–adjective
| 1. | having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions. |
| 2. | free from ostentation or showy extravagance: a modest house. |
| 3. | having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent: a modest neckline on a dress. |
| 4. | limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.: a modest increase in salary. |
Origin:
1555–65; < L modestus restrained, decorous, equiv. to modes- (s. of *modus, an s-stem akin to modus mode 1 , perh. < *medos, with the vowel of modus; cf. moderārī to moderate, from the same n. stem) + -tus adj. suffix
1555–65; < L modestus restrained, decorous, equiv. to modes- (s. of *modus, an s-stem akin to modus mode 1 , perh. < *medos, with the vowel of modus; cf. moderārī to moderate, from the same n. stem) + -tus adj. suffix
Related forms:
mod⋅est⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
1. retiring, unassuming. 1, 2. unpretentious, unobtrusive. 3. pure, virtuous. Modest, demure, prudish imply conformity to propriety and decorum, and a distaste for anything coarse or loud. Modest implies a becoming shyness, sobriety, and proper behavior: a modest, self-respecting person. Demure implies a bashful, quiet simplicity, staidness, and decorum; but can also indicate an assumed or affected modesty: a demure young chorus girl. Prudish suggests an exaggeratedly self-conscious modesty or propriety in behavior or conversation of one who wishes to be thought of as easily shocked and who often is intolerant: a prudish objection to a harmless remark.
1. retiring, unassuming. 1, 2. unpretentious, unobtrusive. 3. pure, virtuous. Modest, demure, prudish imply conformity to propriety and decorum, and a distaste for anything coarse or loud. Modest implies a becoming shyness, sobriety, and proper behavior: a modest, self-respecting person. Demure implies a bashful, quiet simplicity, staidness, and decorum; but can also indicate an assumed or affected modesty: a demure young chorus girl. Prudish suggests an exaggeratedly self-conscious modesty or propriety in behavior or conversation of one who wishes to be thought of as easily shocked and who often is intolerant: a prudish objection to a harmless remark.
Antonyms:
3. bold, coarse.
3. bold, coarse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To modest
| mod·est (mŏd'ĭst) adj.
[Latin modestus; see med- in Indo-European roots.] mod'est·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Modest
Mod"est\, a. [F. modeste, L. modestus, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]1. Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man. 2. Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; -- said of a woman. Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife. --Shak. The blushing beauties of a modest maid. --Dryden. 3. Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request; modest joy. Syn: Reserved; unobtrusive; diffident; bashful; coy; shy; decent; becoming; chaste; virtuous.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : modest
Spanish:
modesto,
German:
bescheiden,
Japanese:
謙そんな
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