| English Dictionary |
MODEST (modest)
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Dictionary entry overview: What does modest mean?
• MODEST (adjective)
The adjective MODEST has 7 senses:
1. marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
2. not large but sufficient in size or amount
3. free from pomp or affectation
4. not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance
5. low or inferior in station or quality
6. humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
7. relatively moderate, limited, or small
Familiarity information: MODEST used as an adjective is common.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
Context example:
too modest to wear his medals
Similar:
retiring; unassuming (not arrogant or presuming)
Also:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Antonym:
immodest (having or showing an exaggerated opinion of your importance, ability, etc)
Derivation:
modestness (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Not large but sufficient in size or amount
Synonyms:
modest; small
Context example:
helped in my own small way
Similar:
moderate (being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme)
Derivation:
modestness (the property of being moderate in price or expenditures)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Free from pomp or affectation
Context example:
a simple man with simple tastes
Similar:
unpretentious (lacking pretension or affectation)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance
Context example:
a modest neckline in her dress covered her up to her collarbone
Similar:
coy; demure; overmodest (affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way)
decent (observing conventional sexual mores in speech or behavior or dress)
decent (sufficiently clothed to see visitors or appear in public)
shamefaced (extremely modest or shy)
Also:
decent (conforming to conventions of sexual behavior)
Attribute:
modestness; modesty (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Antonym:
immodest (offending against sexual mores in conduct or appearance)
Derivation:
modestness (freedom from vanity or conceit)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Low or inferior in station or quality
Synonyms:
humble; low; lowly; modest; small
Context example:
small beginnings
Similar:
inferior (of or characteristic of low rank or importance)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
Synonyms:
Context example:
meek and self-effacing
Similar:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Relatively moderate, limited, or small
Synonyms:
minor; modest; pocket-size; pocket-sized; small; small-scale
Context example:
a pocket-size country
Similar:
limited (small in range or scope)
Context examples
I am a sensible fellow, I believe—I believe, on looking back, I mean—and modest I am sure; but all this goes on notwithstanding.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The accuracy of the models varied, with some showing high predictive powers, such as for percentage body fat, while others had only modest prognostic power, such as for cardiovascular risk.
(Study highlights potential for ‘liquid health check’ to predict disease risk, University of Cambridge)
The researchers predicted that more than 1,000 genes may be involved in the risk for ASD, many of which will only have a modest impact on risk.
(Gene Disruptions Associated with Autism Risk, NIH)
Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and when someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a grim aspect which was anything but hospitable.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I had a charming partner—pure, wise, modest: you can fancy I was a happy man.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
No reluctance, no horror, no feminine, shall I say, no modest loathings?
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Combining the results from all 14 studies, the Cambridge team showed a modest association between positive thoughts and feelings about the infant during pregnancy and later interaction with the infant, but only in mothers.
(Mother’s attitude towards baby during pregnancy may have implications for child’s development, University of Cambridge)
Why, Watson, even your modest moustache would have been singed.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But thou art a pretty lad, and the prettier for thy modest ways.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
This fuels modest ongoing star birth at half the rate of our Milky Way.
(Hubble Surveys Gigantic Galaxy, NASA)
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