Meaning & use
modest
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Not inclined to talk about or show off your own abilities or successes.
Grammar: Often followed by about: modest about her success.
Patterns
- modest about something
Despite winning the prize, he stayed modest about it.
She is too modest to admit how hard she worked.
He gave a modest smile and thanked the team.
adjectivebefore a noun
Fairly small or limited in size, amount, or price.
Grammar: Often before a noun: a modest income.
They live in a modest house near the station.
The company reported a modest profit this quarter.
Sales showed a modest increase.
adjectivecomparableold-fashioned
Avoiding clothing or behavior that might seem too revealing or improper.
Grammar: Describes dress or manner: a modest dress.
She wore a modest dress to the ceremony.
Word forms
| comparative | more modest |
|---|---|
| superlative | most modest |
Common combinations
- modest income
- They raised four children on a modest income.
- modest proposal
- I have a modest proposal for the group.
- modest increase
- There was a modest increase in prices.
- remain modest
- He remained modest despite his fame.
Synonyms and how they differ
- humble
- Humble stresses having no pride, and can also mean low in status.
- unassuming
- Unassuming describes a quiet manner that does not attract attention.
- moderate
- Moderate describes amount or degree and does not apply to personality.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
The author is ___ about her bestseller and rarely mentions it.
Choose one answer.
Modest about means not showing off. Arrogant is the opposite, and anxious and generous do not fit the idea of rarely mentioning success.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “modest”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.