immodest
Americanadjective
-
not modest in conduct, utterance, etc.; indecent; shameless.
-
not modest in assertion or pretension; forward; impudent.
- Synonyms:
- inflated, exaggerated, vain
adjective
-
indecent, esp with regard to sexual propriety; improper
-
bold, impudent, or shameless
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of immodest
First recorded in 1560–70, immodest is from the Latin word immodestus unrestrained, immoderate. See im- 2, modest
Explanation
If you're immodest, you tend to brag about your abilities — you're not at all humble. It would be immodest to boast about your experience making movies, especially if all you've actually done is take videos of your dog in the back yard. There are two ways to be immodest: the first is to gloat and show off, essentially being the very opposite of modest. The other way is to lack good taste and restraint. Years ago, it would have been considered immodest to wear a bikini to the beach — while today, it's only immodest if you wear one to school or a restaurant. The "arrogant" meaning came before the "improper" one, both from the Latin modestia, "moderation," and "correctness of conduct."
Vocabulary lists containing immodest
White Bird
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Listening for Lions
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The Mirror Season
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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.
“On a personal level, to say, ‘I want, I want, I want,’ people may feel that, but we are taught that good manners is to suppress such immodest cravings.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
The original book was published in 1995 and it has — I'm being immodest in saying — but weathered well.
From Salon • Dec. 28, 2024
In the 1500s, metal fig leaves covered the genitals of statues like “David” when the Roman Catholic Church deemed nudity as immodest and obscene.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2023
Van Gaal will never be burdened by modesty about his achievements in the game but he has a lot to be immodest about.
From BBC • Dec. 3, 2022
There was something immodest about her modesty: it announced itself.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions 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.
