self-effacement

[ self-i-feys-muhnt, self- ]

noun

1. the act or fact of keeping oneself in the background, as in humility.

self-effacement

noun

1. the act of making oneself, one's actions, etc, inconspicuous, esp because of humility or timidity

Other Words From

• self-ef·facing adjective
• self-ef·facing·ly adverb
• self-ef·facing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-effacement¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

It is no wonder he could not find the balance between self-effacement and self-promotion.

From The Daily Beast

"I'm just a hack," he says, sincerely, although I believe his self-effacement doubles as a cover.

From The Daily Beast

This will require patience and self-effacement from a man accustomed to dominating the economic-policy discussion.

From The Daily Beast

Owing to her consummate genius for self-effacement, Brodrick remained peculiarly unaware.

From Project Gutenberg

She had produced the effect of shrinking from observation under some subtle shadow of self-effacement.

From Project Gutenberg

Somehow, their self-effacement in his behalf touched him more keenly than anything else had done during this troubled period.

From Project Gutenberg

His self-effacement strengthened the position of the legate.

From Project Gutenberg

At half-past ten Tibby, with rare self-effacement, fell asleep, and Margaret was able to drive her aunt to the station.

From Project Gutenberg