modest
MAH-duhst
Modest (adj) means not boastful about one's achievements or abilities. Example: “He is very modest and never mentions how hard he trained.”
adj
1
Not boastful about one's achievements or abilities.
"He is very modest and never mentions how hard he trained."
"A modest person, she always thanked her team before taking any praise."
"Despite winning the award, she stayed modest about her success."
2
Fairly small or moderate in size or amount.
"We were pleased with the modest rise in visitors this summer."
"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.
"Some visitors choose modest clothing that covers their shoulders when entering the temple."
"She preferred a modest swimsuit with a long-sleeved top."
"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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like modest.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more modest, modester
- Superlative
- modestest, most modest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He is very _____ and never mentions how hard he trained.
Etymology
From Middle French modeste, from Latin modestus ("keeping within measure, moderate").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “modest” mean?
The word “modest” means not boastful about one's achievements or abilities. In plain terms, either humble (not bragging), fairly small, or modestly dressed — all sharing the idea of "not excessive.".
How do you pronounce “modest”?
“Modest” is pronounced MAH-duhst (/ˈmɑdəst/ in IPA).
How do you use “modest” in a sentence?
Here is “modest” used in a sentence: “Despite winning the award, she stayed modest about her success.”
What part of speech is “modest”?
“Modest” is an adjective.
Where does the word “modest” come from?
The word “modest” comes from Latin. From Middle French modeste, from Latin modestus ("keeping within measure, moderate").
Is “modest” a common word?
“Modest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “modest” have?
“Modest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not boastful about one's achievements or abilities.
What is the difference between modest and humble?
Both describe people who are not boastful about their achievements. Humble often goes further, suggesting a low estimate of one's own importance, while modest usually means someone simply avoids drawing attention to what they have done. Modest also has senses humble lacks: a modest amount is fairly small, and modest clothing does not reveal much of the body.
Is being called modest a compliment?
Usually yes when it describes character, because it praises someone for not boasting about their abilities or achievements. When modest describes an amount, such as a modest salary, it is neutral and often serves as a polite way of saying small.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include modest:
