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
Synonym Usage
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
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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.
See Examples For:
Years ago, the shy, demure White House chief of staff suggested to President Obama that America “should never let a good crisis go to waste.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 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
Following “the Sydney Cherkov way,” she wears a lilac blouse that telegraphs meek, demure energy.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2025
Her sweet ballads fooled many into thinking she was fragile and demure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2025
I wait, patient, demure, watching his eyes rove all over the contents of my letter.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
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
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
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
But his weapon is double-edged, and he had not much more love for That ungracious crew which feigns demurest grace.
From Spenser by R. W. (Richard William) Church
"Please be seated, Captain Hocken," said Mrs Bosenna, covering inward merriment with the demurest of smiles.
From Hocken and Hunken by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
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
Even the demurest little maiden cherishes the hope that some fate may send her to the battle-field, or that in some way she may be permitted to serve her country.
From The Lady of the Decoration by Frances Little
"I have conceived the part of Lucy," she observed, with the demurest gravity.
From No Name by Wilkie Collins
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.
