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- Dictionarymodest/ˈmɒdɪst/
adjective
- 1. unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements: "he was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise" Similar Opposite
- 2. (of an amount, rate, or level) relatively moderate, limited, or small: "drink modest amounts of alcohol" Similar Opposite
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MODEST definition: 1. not large in size or amount, or not expensive: 2. not usually talking about or making obvious…. Learn more.
1. a. : placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth. b. : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence. 2. : arising from or characteristic of a modest nature. 3. : observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent. 4. a. : limited in size, amount, or scope. a family of modest means. b. : unpretentious.
A person is modest if he or she is very successful but does not call attention to this. Modest generally means "big enough but not huge" — like a modest house or a modest income. An ambitious person will not be satisfied with modest progress.
You use modest to describe something such as an amount, rate, or improvement which is fairly small. Swiss unemployment rose to the still modest rate of 0.7%. The democratic reforms have been modest. You don't get rich, but you can get a modest living out of it.
Definition of modest adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc. 2. free from ostentation: a modest house. 3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc. 4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.
What does the adjective modest mean? There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective modest, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. modest has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.