modesty
Americannoun
plural
modesties-
the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.
-
regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
-
simplicity; moderation.
noun
-
the quality or condition of being modest
-
(modifier) designed to prevent inadvertent exposure of part of the body
a modesty flap
Other Word Forms
- overmodesty noun
Etymology
Origin of modesty
From the Latin word modestia, dating back to 1525–35. See modest, -y 3
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.
When asked what happened he always replied with factual precision and modesty.
The garment is worn over the head as a display of modesty, but it's not always been welcomed on the football pitch.
From BBC
Our civilization shouldn’t feign excessive humility and modesty while America inspires creative drive.
Regardless of who said it first, the contrast between their modesty about predictions and the hubris of market forecasters, who confidently look to what they call the foreseeable future, is striking.
From Barron's
Regardless of who said it first, the contrast between their modesty about predictions and the hubris of market forecasters, who confidently look to what they call the foreseeable future, is striking.
From Barron's
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.
