modesty Definition
mod·esty (mäd′is tē)
noun
the quality or state of being modest; specif.,
- unassuming or humble behavior
- lack of excesses or pretensions; moderation
- decency; decorum
Etymology: Fr modestie < L modestia
modesty Synonyms
modesty
n.
The state of being modest
humility, unpretentiousness, unassumingness, delicacy, unostentatiousness, reticence, reserve, constraint, unobtrusiveness, self-effacement, meekness; see also courtesy 1, dignity 1, restraint 1.Shyness
inhibition, timidity, diffidence; see shyness.Chastity
decency, innocence, seemliness, celibacy; see chastity, purity 1, virtue 1.
modesty Usage Examples
Converse of object
- preserve: Paul was attempting to preserve the modesty of the day.
- have: You'd think the ladies would have a little more modesty.
- show: As for those who simply consider themselves the « nucleus » of the revolutionary party, they show a little more modesty.
- protect: Bathing machines were invented to protect the modesty of female bathers at a time before'mixed bathing ' was acceptable.
- become: Ian's assurance on matters to do with his distillery is balanced by a becoming modesty in most other things.
- require: Modesty required that every nun sleep alone, but the patriarchal authorities feared what might go on behind closed doors.
Preposition: as
virtue: In part, this can be explained by the socialization of women, which celebrates modesty as a distinctly feminine virtue.
Adjective modifier
- innate: His innate modesty and his sense of artistic privacy would certainly make him shun such a title but he fully deserved it nonetheless.
- false: I've never been a believer in false modesty.
- excessive: Excessive modesty has no place in a teaching practice record.
- typical: It'll blow your wig off, " says Shadow with typical modesty.
- characteristic: Alastair, with characteristic modesty, conceded he had his fair share of luck during his innings.
- extreme: Here is an abridged version of Judy's story, edited to avoid her extreme modesty where necessary.
Modifies a noun
- panel: The modesty panel can be fitted in front or back positions.
- curtain: The staff were dressed in tartan waistcoats, and the rooms were cozy, with four-poster beds, modesty curtains and rocking chairs.
Possessives
sake: It grows later now, then so For modesty's sake make more speed this way.
Preposition: in
dress: In everyday life, however, Thais cultivate and appreciate discreet behavior and modesty in dress.
Preposition: of
Browse dictionary entries near modesty
- ‹ Modesto
- ‹ modestly
- ‹ modest
- ‹ modernize
- ‹ modernity
- ‹ modernistic
- ‹ modernist
- ‹ modernism
- ‹ Modern Latin
- ‹ Modern Hebrew

