modesty

[ˈmɒd.ə.sti]
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Modesty is being humble and unpretentious. It's about not showing off or being too proud.

When we talk about modesty, we usually mean it in two ways. One way is to describe someone who isn't flashy or attention-seeking. For example, "She dresses modestly" might mean she prefers simple, classic clothes over something loud and showy. In this sense, modesty is about being understated and avoiding drawing too much attention to oneself.

The other way we use the word is when we talk about someone who doesn't exaggerate or boast about themselves. For instance, "He's very humble and modest" might mean he never talks about his achievements or boasts about his skills. In this sense, modesty is more about being truthful and avoiding false pride.

How common is "modesty"?

Word modesty is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.

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extravaganceimmodestyimpudence

Real examples of "modesty" in context

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