First Known Use: 1565
Dictionary
modest
adjective mod·est \ˈmä-dəst\
: not very large in size or amount
: not too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities : not showing or feeling great or excessive pride
of clothing : not showing too much of a person's body
Full Definition of MODEST
1
a : placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth b : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence
2
: arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3
: observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent
4
a : limited in size, amount, or scope <a family of modest means> b : unpretentious <a modest home>
— mod·est·ly adverb
See modest defined for English-language learners
See modest defined for kids
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Examples of MODEST
- The foundry work was grueling, but for a little longer Brierfield afforded these African Americans a way station of modest freedom and a residue of authentic independence that was fast disappearing for most rural blacks. —Douglas A. Blackmon, Slavery By Another Name, 2008
- … these remnants he lacked the will to discard, depressed him, deepening the low fever of depression in which even as modest a task as removing a blue doorknob loomed like a mountain almost impossible to climb. —John Updike, Harper's, October 2004
- You're the hero, so then you have to behave in a certain way—there is a prescription for it. You have to be modest, you have to be forbearing, you have to be deferential, you have to be understanding. —Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997
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Origin of MODEST
Latin modestus moderate; akin to Latin modus measure
Related to MODEST
Synonym Discussion of MODEST
shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others <shy with strangers>. bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence <a bashful boy out on his first date>. diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking <felt diffident about raising an objection>. modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit <modest about her success>. coy implies a pretended shyness <put off by her coy manner>.
chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they maintained chaste relations>. pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure of heart>. modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity <preferred more modest swimsuits> <decent people didn't go to such movies>.
chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they maintained chaste relations>. pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure of heart>. modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity <preferred more modest swimsuits> <decent people didn't go to such movies>.
MODESTLY Defined for Kids
modest
adjective mod·est \ˈmä-dəst\
Definition of MODEST for Kids
1
: not overly proud or confident : not boastful <Though champion, he was a modest winner.>
2
: limited in size or amount <modest wealth>
3
: not showy <She lives in a modest house.>
4
: decent in thought, conduct, and dress
— mod·est·ly adverb
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