demure
- characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
- affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.
Origin of demure
Synonyms for demure
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for demure
Related Words for demurely
quietly, simply, plainly, humbly, purely, chastely, demurely, diffidently, shyly, unassumingly, unobtrusively, virtuouslyExamples from the Web for demurely
Contemporary Examples of demurely
Demurely they poured drinks and politely tried to speak English.
Now that she has retired as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, she can demurely admit “sometimes we pushed the envelope.”
They are demurely dressed and stuffed into shiny shopping bags, soon to be tattered but reused in my new life.
Historical Examples of demurely
When he reached the doorstep, Sidney was demurely seated and quite alone.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
"On that point she may form her own opinion," replied Inez demurely.
Fair MargaretH. Rider Haggard
She was as demurely grave as ever, but his suspicions were again aroused.
The PortygeeJoseph Crosby Lincoln
"You must be awfully glad you're not a traveling salesman," she said demurely.
The PortygeeJoseph Crosby Lincoln
"You know I am a bachelor, Mr. Christian," said the lawyer, demurely.
A Son of HagarSir Hall Caine
demure
- sedate; decorous; reserved
- affectedly modest or prim; coy
Word Origin for demure
Word Origin and History for demurely
demure
late 14c. (early 14c. as a surname), from Old French meur "mature, fully grown, ripe," hence "discreet," from Latin maturus "mature" (see mature (v.)) [OED]. The de- in this word is of uncertain meaning. Or possibly from Anglo-French demuré (Old French demoré), past participle of demorer "stay," and influenced by meur [Barnhart]. Or from Old French de (bon) murs "of good manners," from murs (Modern French moeurs) [Klein].