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demure

[ dih-myoor ]
/ dɪˈmyʊər /
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See synonyms for demure on Thesaurus.com
adjective, de·mur·er, de·mur·est.
characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.
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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

synonym study for demure

1. See modest.

OTHER WORDS FROM demure

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH demure

demur, demure
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to demure

prim, reticent, timid, unassuming, backward, bashful, blushing, close, coy, decorous, diffident, earnest, humble, modest, nice, prissy, proper, prudish, retiring, sedate

How to use demure in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demure

demure
/ (dɪˈmjʊə) /
adjective
sedate; decorous; reserved
affectedly modest or prim; coy

Derived forms of demure

demurely, adverbdemureness, noun

Word Origin for demure

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