self-effacing

British  

adjective

1. tending to make oneself, one's actions, etc, inconspicuous, esp because of humility or timidity; modest

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Other Word Forms

• self-effacingly adverb

Explanation

Someone who's self-effacing is shy and likes to stay out of the spotlight, shunning attention and praise. To efface something is to erase it, so to be self-effacing is to try to remove yourself from various situations, especially ones that draw attention. If someone says you did a great job and you say, "It was nothing," that's self-effacing. It is usually considered a positive quality, since it's the opposite of being cocky, egotistical, and attention-hogging. The root of effacing is the Old French word esfacier, which means "to wipe out or destroy," literally "to remove the face."

Example Sentences

Whatever his intention with this self-effacing and possibly insulting answer, Mr. Newsom seemed unschooled in the dialogue of politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

In the pilot, she is insecure and self-effacing; when a car almost runs her over, she apologizes to the driver.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

Vaill also takes exception to the characterization of Eliza as self-effacing.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

Now, of course, none of that is knee-slapping stuff, but it is Scheffler, and the self-effacing comedy is a perfect image-enhancer, even if it is only in a stupid movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

The Lou Volpe I had known in my youth was self-effacing.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• coy
• discreet
• humble
• reticent
• unassuming
• unobtrusive
• unpretentious