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modestly
UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈmɒdɪstli/
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026mod•est /ˈmɑdɪst/USA pronunciation
adj.
- having or showing a moderate opinion of one's merits, importance, etc.;
not boasting:She was very modest about the award.
- free from obvious displays of showiness:a modest house in the country.
- showing regard for the decencies of behavior, dress, etc.:She was too modest to wear a revealing swimsuit in public.
- 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 © 2026mod•est
(mod′ist),USA pronunciation adj.
- having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.;
free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.
- free from ostentation or showy extravagance:a modest house.
- having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.;
decent:a modest neckline on a dress.
- 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
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.
'modestly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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