Modesty

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈmÉ‘d.É™.sti/

Origin

From modest + -y.

Noun

1. The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.
• 1907, Robert Chambers, The Younger Set Chapter 8, At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy ; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.
2. Moderate behaviour; reserve.
3. (specifically) Pudency, prudish avoidance of sexual explicitness.

Derived terms

• false modesty

Related terms

• modestly

Antonyms

• immodesty
• extravagance
• impudence