modesty Hear it!

modesty Definition

mod·esty (mädis tē)

noun

the quality or state of being modest; specif.,

  1. unassuming or humble behavior
  2. lack of excesses or pretensions; moderation
  3. decency; decorum

Etymology: Fr modestie < L modestia

modesty Synonyms

modesty

n.

  1. 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.

    Antonyms vanity*, conceit*, egotism*. *

  2. Shyness

    inhibition, timidity, diffidence; see shyness.

  3. 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

  • nature: The fact is that the fierceness of Master Edward Stanley somewhat violates the modesty of nature.
  • man: Is it that in his courtesy he is respecting the modesty of the man to whom he is referring?