Synonyms

modestly

American

[mod-ist-lee] / ˈmɒd ɪst li /

adverb

reflecting a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits, importance, etc.; not boastfully.

He modestly puts all of his success down to timing.
in a way that is free from showy extravagance; not ostentatiously.

For a billionaire, he lives rather modestly in a home he bought decades ago.
in a way that shows regard for decency in behavior, speech, dress, etc..

When visiting religious sites, avoid offense by dressing modestly: cover your shoulders, torsos, and thighs.
within reasonable limits; moderately.

A modestly priced economy car may be more appropriate for your teenage driver.

Other Word Forms

hypermodestly adverb
overmodestly adverb
pseudomodestly adverb
quasi-modestly adverb
supermodestly adverb
unmodestly adverb

Etymology

Origin of modestly

modest ( def. ) + -ly

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.

These clients swore they believed this adviser to be a decent and honest man, and he lived very modestly.

From MarketWatch

U.S. stock futures rose modestly, with contracts tied to the Nasdaq-100 leading the pack, boosting hopes for a “Santa Claus” rally.

From The Wall Street Journal

So far, December is shaping up to be only modestly better.

From MarketWatch

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023