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View synonyms for demure

demure

[ dih-myoor ]

adjective

, de·mur·er, de·mur·est.
  1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.

    Synonyms: retiring

    Antonyms: indecorous

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

    Antonyms: indecorous



demure

/ dɪˈmjʊə /

adjective

  1. sedate; decorous; reserved
  2. affectedly modest or prim; coy
“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


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Derived Forms

  • deˈmureness, noun
  • deˈmurely, adverb
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Other Words From

  • de·murely adverb
  • de·mureness noun
  • unde·mure adjective
  • unde·murely adverb
  • unde·mureness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of demure1

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 ); demur
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Word History and Origins

Origin of demure1

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

See modest.
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Example Sentences

On the more demure “Plastic on the Sofa,” she proclaims she likes it rough, before making it clear she needs “more nudity and ecstasy” on the sex-positive “Virgo’s Groove.”

From Time

A demure EarFun logo is located at the center, flagged by two rubber cylinders housing passive bass radiators measuring slightly over 2 inches.

Arnon’s coy grins and demure evasions make it seem as if he treats this incident—and, by extension, the criminal justice system—as simply a game to be won rather than a serious process whose fundamental concern is achieving justice.

There’s a similar feeling of “wow” you’ll experience when you turn this demure-looking speaker all the way up.

They are so demure and old-fashioned that only the elderly use it.

His reviews, rightly, call him “sweet,” “demure,”  “easygoing.”

The cover was relatively demure given more recent issues and seemed to signal a turning point for the softcore sex magazine.

Kate wore one of her trusty stand-bys, a full-length LK Bennet coat, in red, natch, and demure black heels.

Trim and demure, she is, for one thing, seemingly an eighth of his size.

Chris was brilliant, deferential, even demure, full of conviction.

On the other hand, Vera Galloway was transformed into a demure-looking shop assistant waiting a customers' orders.

What scenes, what tragedies, what comedies, those bright houses and demure little villas concealed.

You never saw a more demure, harmless and even helpless looking bit of a thing in your life.

Father Letheby, at the end of the table, looked as demure as a nun.

We little thought what you were up to, so grave and demure as you both were.

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demurdemurrage