modicum

[ mod-i-kuhm, moh-di- ]

/ ˈmɒd ɪ kəm, ˈmoʊ dɪ- /

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See synonyms for modicum on Thesaurus.com

noun

a moderate or small amount: He hasn't even a modicum of common sense.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of modicum

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin, noun use of neuter of modicus “moderate,” equivalent to modi-, combining form of modus limit (see mode¹) + -cus adjective suffix

Words nearby modicum

Modesto, modesty, modesty panel, MODFET, modge, modicum, modif., modificand, modification, modificatory, modified American plan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use modicum in a sentence

He experienced a modicum of the success and notoriety that many of his musical successors reap the benefits from today.
Lee Morgan’s ‘Live at the Lighthouse’ was a masterpiece that turned out to be a farewell|Shannon J. Effinger|August 27, 2021|Washington Post
There was—in the bigger cities, especially Kabul—a modicum of freedom for certain individuals, like a lot of Afghans raised abroad or who had been refugees in Pakistan and Iran, and then for whatever reason had come back to Afghanistan.
‘It’s a Death Sentence’: LGBTQ Afghans Fight for Their Lives|Tim Teeman|August 26, 2021|The Daily Beast
This enabled a modicum of close air support, but it was far from cutting edge.
The Taliban, not the West, won Afghanistan’s technological war|Christopher Ankersen, Mike Martin|August 23, 2021|MIT Technology Review
They are asked to present a modicum of virtue that the chimpanzee alpha does not care about.
The Math That Says Egalitarianism Is Possible - Issue 104: Harmony|Brian Gallagher|August 11, 2021|Nautilus

Medium also plans to introduce more stringent eligibility requirements that will require new Partner Program participants to secure a modicum of traction on the platform before they can make any money.
Exclusive: Medium will begin offering writers a 50% cut of the subscriber revenue their content generates|Max Willens|August 11, 2021|Digiday
The U.S. government should expedite their cases while showing some modicum of flexibility in reviewing their documentation.
Obama Went to War to Save Them, But They Can’t Get U.S. Visas|Christine van den Toorn, Sherizaan Minwalla|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If I am dressed “modestly,” then they can perhaps generate a modicum of understanding.
Whore Uniforms, Brad Pitt, and Context: Reflections from the Woman Behind Cards Against Harassment|Lindsey|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Robbie was rejected by his brothers and sisters, and only his mother showed a modicum of sympathy.
LGBT Asylum Seekers Need America More Than Ever|Gene Robinson|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jobs must have had at least a modicum of decency, or he never would have called the Rose family in the first place.
Murdered for Her iPhone|Michael Daly|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He has failed to give Texans even the modicum of respect required to actively scam them.
Good Riddance to Steve Stockman, the Grifter Congressman Who Ran for Senate|Ben Jacobs|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A modicum of mental training would have led him to say, “Kindly send me your Prospectus.”
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
The only forces appealed to were the fear of punishment and a modicum of religious exhortation.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
Even waste and misuse are regulated by education and experience where there is even a modicum of intelligence.
The Leaven in a Great City|Lillian William Betts
A rather absurd little modicum of jam is also served out, but it serves to sweeten a biscuit.
In the Ranks of the C.I.V.|Erskine Childers
I am master of my profession, and I have a certain modicum of business ability, as well as common sense.
The Cruise of the "Esmeralda"|Harry Collingwood

British Dictionary definitions for modicum

modicum

/ (ˈmɒdɪkəm) /

noun

a small amount or portion

Word Origin for modicum

C15: from Latin: a little way, from modicus moderate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

modicum

Origin of modicum

Words nearby modicum

Words related to modicum

How to use modicum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for modicum

Word Origin for modicum