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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

modest

MAH-duhst

Modest (adj) means not boastful about one's achievements or abilities. Example: “Despite winning the award, she stayed modest about her success.”

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 notes

In 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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Test yourself on “modest” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Despite winning the award, she stayed _____ about her success.

Etymology

From Middle French modeste, from Latin modestus ("keeping within measure, moderate").

Origin: Latin

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.

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