- having or showing a moderate opinion of one's own value, abilities, achievements, etc.; not vain or boastful; unassuming
- not forward; shy or reserved: modest behavior
- behaving, dressing, speaking, etc. in a way that is considered proper or decorous; decent
- moderate or reasonable; not extreme: a modest request
- quiet and humble in appearance, style, etc.; not pretentious: a modest home
Origin of modest
French modeste from Classical Latin modestus, keeping due measure, modest from modus: see mode