modesty

[ mod-uh-stee ]

noun

, plural mod·es·ties.

1. the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.
2. regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
3. simplicity; moderation.

modesty

/ ˈmɒdɪstɪ /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being modest
2. modifier designed to prevent inadvertent exposure of part of the body

   a modesty flap

Other Words From

• over·modest·y noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of modesty¹

From the Latin word modestia, dating back to 1525–35. See modest, -y ³

Example Sentences

While that practice is accepted in the United States, it’s frowned upon in many other countries, where modesty is more culturally valued.

From TechCrunch

Advocates for greater modesty say mummies did not agree to have their bodies put on public display, and that cultural respect demands they be removed from view.

From Popular-Science

Scott did no damage to her reputation for extravagant modesty when she published, in her first-ever tweet, that she was “Grateful to have finished the process of dissolving my marriage with Jeff.”

From Time

He once told me that modesty may be a public virtue, but it was not a private one.

From Time

Today, though, “judicial modesty is now very much out of fashion in conservative legal circles.”

From Washington Post

Both reek of false modesty, but Deen does appear jumpy and genuinely anxious at times.

From The Daily Beast

Mapei is soft-spoken, but that should not be mistaken for modesty.

From The Daily Beast

The very limitations that we understand as modesty are erased by this process.

From The Daily Beast

After Bates died, his successor at the RGS reflected, “I think his modesty was carried to a fault.”

From The Daily Beast

Then again, my perception of modesty has been skewed ever since Katy Perry shot whip cream out of her bra, so who even knows.

From The Daily Beast

She stripped off her mackintosh, as though she were stripping off her modesty, and stood before him revealed.

From Project Gutenberg

Smokers, tossing pipes and puffing smoke over the dinner-table, forgot all cleanliness and modesty.

From Project Gutenberg

The others being all agreed, Tom consented, with becoming modesty, to take the post of honour and of danger.

From Project Gutenberg

He eyed her artfully, winked playfully, and continued: "You'll like it when you get the modesty out of yourself."

From Project Gutenberg

Let modesty and kind feeling govern your conversation, as other rules of life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decency
• humility
• propriety
• purity
• reticence
• simplicity
• virtue