modest

mod·est

Use modest in a sentence

A modest home.

adjective

The definition of modest is someone or something that is humble or shy or not extreme.

An example of modest is a person who doesn't easily take their clothes off around others.
An example of modest is a simple house.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"Modest." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST.

APA Style

Modest. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST

modest

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

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"Modest." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST.

APA Style

Modest. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST

modest

adjective

Having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own abilities, accomplishments, or value: was too modest to talk about his success.
a. Having or proceeding from a disinclination to call attention to oneself; retiring or diffident: a quiet, modest demeanor.
b. Observing conventional proprieties in speech, behavior, or dress, especially in the avoidance of arousing sexual interest.
a. Free from showiness or ostentation; unpretentious: a house with modest furnishings. See Synonyms at plain.
b. Moderate or limited in size, quantity, or range; not extreme: a modest price; a newspaper with a modest circulation.

Origin of modest

Latin modestus ; see med- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

mod′est·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"Modest." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST.

APA Style

Modest. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/MODEST

Adjective

(comparative modester or more modest, superlative modestest or most modest)

Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble.
Small, moderate in size.
He earns a modest amount of money.
Her latest novel was a modest success.
(especially of behaviour or clothing) Avoiding being sexually suggestive.