modest

UK: /ˈmɒdɪst/ US: /ˈmɑdɪst/ ,(mod′ist)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

mod•est /ˈmɑdɪst/   adj. 

1. having or showing a moderate opinion of one's merits, importance, etc.;
   not boasting:
   She was very modest about the award.
2. free from obvious displays of showiness:
   a modest house in the country.
3. showing regard for the decencies of behavior, dress, etc.:
   She was too modest to wear a revealing swimsuit in public.
4. limited in amount, extent, etc.:
   a modest salary.

mod•est•ly, adv.: 

He answered modestly that a team effort had helped him win the award.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mod•est  (mod′ist), adj. 

1. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.;
   free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.
2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance:
   a modest house.
3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.;
   decent:
   a modest neckline on a dress.
4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.:
   a modest increase in salary.

• *medos, with the vowel of modus; compare moderārī to moderate, from the same noun, nominal stem) + -tus adjective, adjectival suffix
• Latin modestus restrained, decorous, equivalent. to modes- (stem of *modus, an s- stem akin to modus mode¹, perh.
• 1555–65

mod′est•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. retiring, unassuming.
• 1, 2. unpretentious, unobtrusive.
• 3. pure, virtuous.
  Modest, demure, prudish imply conformity to propriety and decorum, and a distaste for anything coarse or loud.
  Modest implies a becoming shyness, sobriety, and proper behavior:
  a modest, self-respecting person.
  Demure implies a bashful, quiet simplicity, staidness, and decorum; but can also indicate an assumed or affected modesty:
  a demure young chorus girl.
  Prudish suggests an exaggeratedly self-conscious modesty or propriety in behavior or conversation of one who wishes to be thought of as easily shocked and who often is intolerant:
  a prudish objection to a harmless remark.

Antonyms

• 3. bold, coarse.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

modest / ˈmɒdɪst/ adjective

1. having or expressing a humble opinion of oneself or one's accomplishments or abilities
2. reserved or shy
3. not ostentatious or pretentious
4. not extreme or excessive; moderate
5. decorous or decent

Etymology: 16th Century: via Old French from Latin modestus moderate, from modus mode

ˈmodestly adverb