modest

[mod-ist]

adjective

1. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

   Synonyms: unobtrusive, unpretentious, unassuming, retiring

2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance.

   a modest house.

   Synonyms: unobtrusive, unpretentious

3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent.

   a modest neckline on a dress.

   Synonyms: virtuous, pure
   Antonyms: coarse, bold

4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc..

   a modest increase in salary.

modest

/ ˈmɒdɪst /

adjective

1. having or expressing a humble opinion of oneself or one's accomplishments or abilities

2. reserved or shy

   modest behaviour

3. not ostentatious or pretentious

4. not extreme or excessive; moderate

5. decorous or decent

Other Word Forms

• modestly adverb
• hypermodest adjective
• hypermodestness noun
• overmodest adjective
• pseudomodest adjective
• quasi-modest adjective
• supermodest adjective
• unmodest adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of modest¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin modestus “restrained, decorous,” equivalent to modes- (stem of unattested modus, an s- stem akin to modus “measured amount, limit, manner” ( mode ¹ ), perhaps from unattested medos, with the vowel of modus; compare moderārī “to moderate” ( moderate, from the same noun stem) + -tus adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of modest¹

C16: via Old French from Latin modestus moderate, from modus _mode

Synonym Study

Modest, demure, prudish imply conformity to propriety and decorum, and a distaste for anything coarse or loud. Modest implies a becoming shyness, sobriety, and proper behavior: a modest, self-respecting person. Demure implies a bashful, quiet simplicity, staidness, and decorum; but can also indicate an assumed or affected modesty: a demure young chorus girl. Prudish suggests an exaggeratedly self-conscious modesty or propriety in behavior or conversation of one who wishes to be thought of as easily shocked and who often is intolerant: a prudish objection to a harmless remark.

Example Sentences

"Applied at scale in at-risk populations, these modest and sustained lifestyle changes could prevent thousands of new diagnoses every year. We hope soon to show similar evidence for other major public health challenges."

Read more on Science Daily

To my great surprise, I had no memory that John Candy had a stellar bit part in the film as a modest Midwestern polka player.

Read more on Salon

At a global level, cautious optimism persists with modest equity gains expected at the local, international and U.S. levels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This means modest payroll gains, which might have seemed alarming in 2023, are now indicative of a stable and balanced market,” he added.

Read more on MarketWatch

Nevertheless, it was given credit for a modest enlistment bump that year.

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Related Words

• humble 
• moderate 
• prudent 
• quiet 
• simple 
• unassuming