Modesty
/ˈmɒdəsti/
Definitions
2 meaningsA humble and unassuming attitude or behavior concerning one's merits or achievements.
/ˈmɒdəsti/
The quality of being unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities.
His modesty surprised many, considering his immense talent.
💡 Simply: Modesty is like being humble about how good you are at things. Imagine you're a super-talented artist, but instead of telling everyone, you just show your work and let people decide. That's modesty! It's also about not trying to show off what you have or how you look.
👶 For kids: Being modest means not bragging and not thinking you're better than others. It's like when you do something good, but you don't make a big deal out of it.
More Examples
She always attributed her success to teamwork and hard work, not to her own abilities, displaying admirable modesty.
Her modesty was evident in the way she dressed and carried herself.
How It's Used
"Her modesty prevented her from boasting about her achievements."
"In some cultures, modesty in dress is highly valued."
Decency in appearance, behavior, or speech; avoidance of indecency.
/ˈmɒdəsti/
The quality of being decent in behavior, speech, or dress.
She upheld modesty in her actions and words.
💡 Simply: Modesty is like showing respect for yourself and others by the way you act or what you wear. It's about being appropriate. For instance, dressing modestly could mean covering up more of your skin in certain situations.
👶 For kids: Modesty is being respectful by how you act and what you wear. It's like making sure you're not being rude or showing off too much.
More Examples
The design of the building reflected a sense of architectural modesty.
During the ceremony, the guests were expected to observe a level of modesty.
How It's Used
"Her modest attire was appropriate for the formal occasion."
"Different cultures have varying expectations of modesty."
From Middle French modestie, from Latin modestia ('moderation, restraint'), derived from modestus ('moderate').
Historically, modesty was closely linked with virtue and moral restraint, often emphasized in religious and social contexts. Its importance in Victorian England and earlier societies is well-documented.
Memory tip
Think of a mode of being modest: not showing off or bragging.
Word Origin
"moderate, restrained"