unassuming

[uhn-uh-soo-ming]

See more synonyms for unassuming on Thesaurus.com

adjective

modest; unpretentious.

Origin of unassuming

First recorded in 1720–30; un-¹ + assuming

Related formsun·as·sum·ing·ly, adverbun·as·sum·ing·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unassuming

Contemporary Examples

In a tucked-away grave marked with a flat, unassuming stone, Anastasio Umberto bears that distinction.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard
Nina Strochlic
October 23, 2014
Got to find that man, Harold vowed, and he did, locating an unassuming barber in South Brooklyn.
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull
Mark Jacobson
March 8, 2014
The unassuming, charisma-free central banker never set out to be a player the way his predecessor Alan Greenspan did.
Bernanke Drop the Mic as He Exits the Fed
Daniel Gross
December 19, 2013
Over lunch in a Toronto café, she proved sharp, funny, forthright, and unassuming.
Three Cheers for Alice Munro’s Nobel Prize in Literature
Malcolm Jones
October 10, 2013
This unassuming, 39-seat spot in Los Angeles went from the minor leagues one year to the best restaurant of the year the next.
America’s Best New Restaurant
Bon Appétit
August 30, 2013

Historical Examples

His manner is affable and unassuming, and his disposition kindly.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin
The uniform of these riders of the western plains was unassuming.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum
He is sincere, and he is unassuming, a good friend, and a tolerant enemy.
Mixed Faces
Roy Norton
I believe they are always natural, and unassuming, and sincere.
Mixed Faces
Roy Norton
Mrs de Barral was an equable, unassuming woman, at that time.
Chance
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for unassuming

unassuming

adjective

modest or unpretentious

Derived Formsunassumingly, adverbunassumingness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for unassuming

adj.

"unpretentious," 1726, from un- (1) "not" + infinitive of assume.

unassuming

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}unassuming

Related Words

Examples from the Web for unassuming

Contemporary Examples

In a tucked-away grave marked with a flat, unassuming stone, Anastasio Umberto bears that distinction.

Got to find that man, Harold vowed, and he did, locating an unassuming barber in South Brooklyn.

The unassuming, charisma-free central banker never set out to be a player the way his predecessor Alan Greenspan did.

Over lunch in a Toronto café, she proved sharp, funny, forthright, and unassuming.

This unassuming, 39-seat spot in Los Angeles went from the minor leagues one year to the best restaurant of the year the next.

Historical Examples

His manner is affable and unassuming, and his disposition kindly.

The uniform of these riders of the western plains was unassuming.

He is sincere, and he is unassuming, a good friend, and a tolerant enemy.

I believe they are always natural, and unassuming, and sincere.

Mrs de Barral was an equable, unassuming woman, at that time.

unassuming

Word Origin and History for unassuming

adj.

Origin of unassuming