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noun

modesty

MOD-uh-stee
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 notes

In plain EnglishBeing humble about your achievements, or dressing/behaving in a restrained, non-showy way.

Common pairings
false modesty a sense of modesty

Word Forms

modesties plural

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He accepted the praise with characteristic _____.

Etymology

From Middle French modestie, from Latin modestia, from the same root as "modest."

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Rhymes for modesty

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