noun
Uncommon
modesty
MOD-uh-stee
Modesty (noun) means the quality of not boasting about one's abilities or achievements; humility. Example: “He accepted the praise with characteristic modesty.”
noun
1
The quality of not boasting about one's abilities or achievements; humility.
"He accepted the praise with characteristic modesty."
2
Behavior or dress that avoids drawing sexual attention.
"The school's uniform policy was designed with modesty in mind."
How to use modesty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing humble about your achievements, or dressing/behaving in a restrained, non-showy way.
Common pairings
false modesty
a sense of modesty
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Word forms
- Plural
- modesties
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He accepted the praise with characteristic _____.
Etymology
From Middle French modestie, from Latin modestia, from the same root as "modest."
Synonyms
View more →
reserve
modestness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for modesty
See all rhymes for modesty →Frequently asked questions
What does “modesty” mean?
The word “modesty” means the quality of not boasting about one's abilities or achievements; humility. In plain terms, being humble about your achievements, or dressing/behaving in a restrained, non-showy way.
How do you pronounce “modesty”?
“Modesty” is pronounced MOD-uh-stee (/ˈmɒd.ə.sti/ in IPA).
How do you use “modesty” in a sentence?
Here is “modesty” used in a sentence: “He accepted the praise with characteristic modesty.”
What is the opposite of “modesty”?
The opposite of “modesty” — its antonyms — are impudence, extravagance, arrogance and immodesty.
What part of speech is “modesty”?
“Modesty” is a noun.
Where does the word “modesty” come from?
The word “modesty” comes from Latin. From Middle French modestie, from Latin modestia, from the same root as "modest.".
Is “modesty” a common word?
“Modesty” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “modesty” have?
“Modesty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of not boasting about one's abilities or achievements; humility.
