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   Mod·est

   /ˈmädəst/

   

   adjective

   • 1. unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements: "he was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise" Similar self-effacingself-deprecatinghumbleunpretentiousunassumingunpresumingunostentatiouslow-keyfree from vanitykeeping one's light under a bushelshybashfulself-consciousdiffidenttimidreservedretiringmedia-shyreticentquietcoyembarrassedshamefacedblushingfearfulmeekdocilemildapologeticmimOpposite boastfulconceited
   • 2. (of an amount, rate, or level) relatively moderate, limited, or small: "drink modest amounts of alcohol" Similar moderatefairtolerablepassableadequatesatisfactoryacceptableunexceptionalsmalllightlimitedscantyskimpyfrugalmeagersparseOpposite greatrunaway
   • ▪ (of a place in which one lives, eats, or stays) not excessively large, elaborate, or expensive: "we had bought a modest house" Similar smallordinarysimpleplainhumblehomelyinexpensivelow-costcheappoorunostentatiousunpretentiousunimposingOpposite grandgrandiose
   • 3. dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention (typically used of a woman): "the modest women wear long-sleeved dresses and all but cover their faces"
   • ▪ (of clothing) not revealing or emphasizing the figure: "modest dress means that hemlines must be below the knee" Similar decorousdecentseemlydemuresoberseverecoyproperdiscreetdelicatechastevirtuousOpposite immodestflamboyant

   Word Origin mid 16th century: from French modeste, from Latin modestus ‘keeping due measure’, related to modus ‘measure’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • M

     3

   • O

     1

   • D

     2

   • E

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   • S

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   • T

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