Word
modesty
Meanings
the quality of being humble and not bragging about your abilities or achievements
the quality of dressing or behaving in a way that avoids drawing sexual attention, based on cultural or personal standards
Definition
Modesty is the quality of not boasting and of keeping a humble, unshowy attitude about yourself.
Modesty is a way of behaving and thinking that avoids showing off or exaggerating your abilities, achievements, or importance. It often includes speaking about success in a restrained, balanced way. In some contexts, it can also mean behaving or dressing in a way that avoids attracting sexual attention.
Examples
- I admired her modesty, even after she led the project to a clear success.
- You can acknowledge your strengths without losing modesty in an interview.
- He spoke about the prize with genuine modesty, focusing on the team’s effort instead of his own.
- They answered the journalist’s questions with modesty and calm, avoiding dramatic claims about their work.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse modesty with shyness, but modesty is about not boasting, not necessarily about being quiet or socially anxious.
More at C1 level
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More nouns
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