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:
It's a major departure from two years ago, when the site, after analysing US social media trends, news stories, and search data, chose demure as word of the year.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
The women aboard Mighty Mary aren’t demure passengers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 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
Tseggai’s Miriam seems demure but delivers a wild monologue about her unhappy marriage and subsequent all-consuming affair that confirms you can’t judge a book by its cover.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025
At first she put on her slightly stupid demure look, but after a few of his words she gave that up and bored into him with her eyes, trying to read his thoughts.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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
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
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
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
"Hand the stick to Mr. Marston Greyle, Mr. Copplestone," said Audrey in her demurest manner.
From Scarhaven Keep by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
When he honored me with a call he looked the demurest young saint, and I laughed till I got the lockjaw at his earnest and spiritual discourse.
From Satires And Profanities by G. W. (George William) Foote
Finding these two in contact, the Doctors interchanged demurest glances.
From Hard Cash by Charles Reade
"And backward yode, as bargemen wont to fare Bending their force contrary to their face Like that ungracious crew which faines demurest grace."
From Great Ralegh by Hugh de Selincourt
This explanation, given with the demurest naivete, caused a laugh among her listeners.
From Ziska by Marie Corelli
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
