demure
[ dih-myoor ]
/ dɪˈmyʊər /
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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, demureDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for demure
British Dictionary definitions for demure
demure
/ (dɪˈmjʊə) /
adjective
sedate; decorous; reserved
affectedly modest or prim; coy
Derived forms of demure
demurely, adverbdemureness, nounWord Origin for demure
C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature
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