modesty
noun
mod·es·ty
ˈmä-də-stē 
1
: the quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities
She accepted the award with modesty.
2
: propriety in dress, speech, or conduct
The young man was known for his modesty.
Examples of modesty in a Sentence
She accepted the award with modesty.
He is known for his modesty, an uncommon characteristic for a politician.
There was no false modesty in her victory speech.
the modesty of her clothing
Recent Examples on the Web
To pursue genuine internationalism, liberals also need to develop a degree of modesty about democracy itself.
—
Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
In the article Culpo makes a few comments about the modesty of her Dolce & Gabbana dress that rub some readers the wrong way, and the situation spirals into a full-on controversy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2025
Her modesty and nerves feel genuine.
—Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
The mesh fabric didn't cover as much as her extremely long, brown hair—a departure from the famous painting—which was stuffed into the dress and very deliberately situated for a wee bit of modesty.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modesty
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Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
In the article Culpo makes a few comments about the modesty of her Dolce & Gabbana dress that rub some readers the wrong way, and the situation spirals into a full-on controversy.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2025
Her modesty and nerves feel genuine.
—Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
The mesh fabric didn't cover as much as her extremely long, brown hair—a departure from the famous painting—which was stuffed into the dress and very deliberately situated for a wee bit of modesty.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Cite this Entry
“Modesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modesty. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
modesty
noun
mod·es·ty
ˈmäd-ə-stē
: the quality of being modest
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