demure

American  

[dih-myoor] / dɪˈmjʊər /

adjective

demurer, demurest

1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.

   Synonyms:

   retiring

   Antonyms:

   indecorous

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

   Antonyms:

   indecorous

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demure British  

/ dɪˈmjʊə /

adjective

1. sedate; decorous; reserved

2. affectedly modest or prim; coy

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Synonym Usage

See modest.

Other Word Forms

• demureness
  noun
• undemureness
  noun
• undemure
  adjective
• demurely
  adverb
• undemurely
  adverb

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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

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demure demurer demurest

Despite this demure exterior, former employees say the Sussexes and the Waleses have spent years monitoring one another from afar on social media, jostling to capture favorable headlines.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

They offered to introduce him to a demure, devoted woman.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The simplicity of the tins, their demure size and dainty contents, which often feature organic health foods, are meant to embody whimsy.

From Salon ● May 17, 2026

Others opt for the registry office and a demure lunch with close friends, and prefer to save their money for a house.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 25, 2025

Mrs. Odom, who usually dressed in demure long dresses and straw hats, had on a pair of men’s overalls and an old plaid work shirt.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Of course, if they be still exuberant, they may show it, and stamp their lustiest; still a demurer step will usually suggest itself as the more appropriate.

From The Morris Book, Part 1 A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of England by Cecil J. Sharp

And you have seen a cat conscious of approaching cream: such was Miss Haythorn; she became demurer and demurer.

From Stories by English Authors: England by Thomas Hardy

Cicely, six months younger, was much more quiet and steady on the surface, though her twinkling brown eyes belied her demurer manners, and proclaimed her ready for anything in the shape of fun.

From The Manor House School by Arthur A. Dixon

She bowed to him, and passed on in her grave and stately manner: more calmly observant, demurer eyes were not in the Park.

From Sunrise by William Black

She was the demurest of all in seeming when she danced, but she was uncontrollably jealous.

From We Can't Have Everything by Rupert Hughes

Mary's steed had answered every expectation, and proved himself very quiet; so quiet, that without the admonition of a cudgel behind him, he could hardly be persuaded into the demurest trot.

From Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope

"I have conceived the part of Lucy," she observed, with the demurest gravity.

From No Name by Wilkie Collins

For the same cause there were risings at Caistor and Horncastle—two of the demurest of modern towns.

From The Romantic Story of the Mayflower Pilgrims And Its Place in the Life of To-day by Albert Christopher Addison

"Ah, I thank you," cried the Brown Fairy, dropping the demurest of curtsies; "I cried for my ball."

From A Blot on the Scutcheon by Mabel Winifred Knowles

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Related Words

• prim
• reticent
• timid
• unassuming

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