demure
Americanadjective
-
characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
- Synonyms:
- retiring
- Antonyms:
- indecorous
-
affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.
- Antonyms:
- indecorous
adjective
-
sedate; decorous; reserved
-
affectedly modest or prim; coy
Related Words
See modest.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demure
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
Explanation
A demure person can be described as polite and a little shy. A demure outfit is a modest one — think high neckline and low hem. Demure is a word you don't hear a lot these days, but it used to be a huge compliment for a woman or a girl, for them to be considered shy and quiet and modest. The word demure comes from an French term that means "sober, grave, or serious."
Vocabulary lists containing demure
Advanced English Words
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 7
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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.
Demure didn’t just fall out of a coconut tree.
From Salon • Aug. 25, 2024
Eager to leave North Carolina, Ghee came to New York at 18 to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and began performing in drag clubs as Crystal Demure.
From New York Times • May 10, 2023
Demure white blooms dotted with green nod at the top of 4-inch stems and grassy foliage.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2022
Demure packaging includes a scolding from Mrs. Patmore on the back of the label: “You know the trouble with you lot? You are in love with the wrong people!”
From Slate • Dec. 30, 2013
Demure and reserved, the forty-seven-year-old Namba was forty minutes away from becoming the oldest woman to climb Everest and the second Japanese woman to reach the highest point on each continent, the so-called Seven Summits.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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.
