demure

American  

[dih-myoor] / dɪˈmjʊər /

adjective

demurer, demurest

1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.

   Synonyms:

   retiring

   Antonyms:

   indecorous

2. affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.

   Antonyms:

   indecorous

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demure British  

/ dɪˈmjʊə /

adjective

1. sedate; decorous; reserved

2. affectedly modest or prim; coy

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Synonym Usage

See modest.

Other Word Forms

• demureness
  noun
• undemureness
  noun
• undemure
  adjective
• demurely
  adverb
• undemurely
  adverb

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demure demurer demurest

Ms. Winger struggles to make these demure, repressive qualities come across naturally—and frankly fails.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The simplicity of the tins, their demure size and dainty contents, which often feature organic health foods, are meant to embody whimsy.

From Salon ● May 17, 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

For a moment he was silent; and then added, in a tone much more guarded and demure,

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

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 Black, William

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 Hardy, Thomas

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 Sharp, Cecil J.

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 Dixon, Arthur A.

“From London—but I’m not French, you know,” was the retort, with the demurest of demure smiles.

From The Heiress of Wyvern Court by Searchfield, Emilie

With downcast demurest eyes and hesitating speech, Saxon said: "I did something yesterday without asking your advice, Billy."

From The Valley of the Moon by London, Jack

This explanation, given with the demurest naivete, caused a laugh among her listeners.

From Ziska by Corelli, Marie

"Please be seated, Captain Hocken," said Mrs Bosenna, covering inward merriment with the demurest of smiles.

From Hocken and Hunken by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

Mrs. Owen's family, the Singletons, had crossed the Ohio into Hoosier territory along in the fifties, in time for Sally to have been a student—not the demurest from all accounts—at Indiana Female College.

From A Hoosier Chronicle by Yohn, F. C. (Frederick Coffay)

Related Words

• prim
• reticent
• timid
• unassuming