adj
modest
MAH-duhst
adj
1
Not boastful about one's achievements or abilities.
"Despite winning the award, she stayed modest about her success."
2
Fairly small or moderate in size or amount.
"They live in a modest apartment near the city center."
"The company reported a modest profit this quarter."
3
Not showing or revealing much of the body; avoiding sexual attention.
"She wore a modest dress to the formal event."
How to Use Modest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither humble (not bragging), fairly small, or modestly dressed — all sharing the idea of "not excessive."
Common pairings
modest income
modest proposal
stay modest
Word Forms
more modest comparative, modester comparative, modestest superlative, most modest superlative
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Etymology
From Middle French modeste, from Latin modestus ("keeping within measure, moderate").