modesty

modesty — noun

1. The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills,

1.nounB2
Definition

The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills, achievements, or good qualities.

Example

Despite winning two national awards, Dr. Okafor spoke about his work with genuine modesty.

collocation: with + [adjective] + modesty

Putri's modesty about her academic record made her even more respected by the faculty.

pattern: modesty + about + [topic]

Common collocations
  • false modesty
  • genuine modesty
  • characteristic modesty
  • natural modesty
  • with modesty
  • modesty about
Synonyms
  • humility

    Focuses on a humble inner attitude rather than the act of not boasting; slightly broader in meaning.

  • reserve

    Emphasises quietness or restraint in general, not specifically about achievements.

  • diffidence

    Suggests a lack of self-confidence rather than a deliberate choice not to boast; often more negative in tone.

Antonyms
  • arrogance

    An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

  • boastfulness

    The habit of talking too proudly about oneself.

Grammar Patterns

modesty + about + noun phrase

with + modesty

possessive + modesty

Usage Note

Frequently used with prepositions like 'about' (modesty about one's achievements) and 'with' (with modesty). Often preceded by possessive determiners (his modesty, her natural modesty).

Common Mistakes

He accepted the award with humble.
He accepted the award with modesty.
'humble' is an adjective; the noun form needed here is 'modesty'.
Her modesty concerning her grades was false modesty.
Her modesty about her grades was false modesty.
'modesty about' is the standard collocation, not 'modesty concerning'.

2. A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself

2.nounC1
Definition

A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself, to show that you do not wish to appear boastful.

Example

In all modesty, I think I did a pretty good job on that project.

fixed expression: in all modesty (sentence-opening)

Adina said, in all modesty, that her team had worked very hard to meet the deadline.

fixed expression: in all modesty (parenthetical)

Common collocations
  • in all modesty
  • with all due modesty
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

in all modesty (sentence adverbial)

with all due modesty

Usage Note

Primarily occurs in the fixed adverbial phrases 'in all modesty' or 'with all due modesty'. These expressions act as a polite softening device when the speaker needs to say something positive about themselves. Common in formal speeches, interviews, and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

In modesty, I helped to finish the project on time.
In all modesty, I helped to finish the project on time.
The fixed phrase requires 'all', not just 'in modesty'.

3. The standard of dressing and acting in a restrained, proper manner so as not to

3.nounB2
Definition

The standard of dressing and acting in a restrained, proper manner so as not to invite sexual notice — a quality traditionally expected especially of women.

Example

As Tanvi tried on sarees for the wedding, her mother reminded her that elders expected modesty in dress.

collocation: modesty in dress

The school dress code emphasised modesty, requiring skirts to fall below the knee.

Common collocations
  • modesty in dress
  • modesty in clothing
  • standards of modesty
  • sense of modesty
  • traditional modesty
Synonyms
  • decency

    Broader term covering general propriety; less specific to avoiding sexual attention.

  • propriety

    More formal; refers to socially correct behaviour in general, not just dress.

  • reserve

    Focuses on emotional restraint rather than the sexual dimension.

Antonyms
  • immodesty

    Lack of modesty in dress or behaviour.

  • indecency

    Behaviour that violates accepted standards of propriety, broader in scope.

Grammar Patterns

modesty + in + noun phrase

sense of modesty

standards of modesty

Usage Note

Historically most often applied to women's dress and conduct, though it can be used more broadly. When applied to men, it typically describes restrained or conservative behaviour rather than clothing. Compare with sense 1, which focuses on humility about achievements rather than propriety of appearance.

Common Mistakes

She dressed with modesty for the job interview.' (ambiguous — could mean humble dress or conservative dress)
In context, specify: 'She chose a modest outfit for the job interview.
'modest' as an adjective is clearer for clothing, while 'modesty' as a noun is best used with 'sense of' or 'standards of'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Modesty (sense 1, 'not bragging') and humility are the closest pair, but humility describes a deeper inner attitude of being modest about one's own importance, while modesty more specifically means choosing not to talk about one's achievements. Reserve implies general quietness or emotional restraint — a reserved person may be modest, but reserve does not specifically relate to achievements. Diffidence carries a more negative nuance: it suggests a lack of self-confidence or shyness, whereas modesty is usually seen as a positive quality. For example, you can say 'She accepted the praise with modesty' (she chose not to boast) but 'She accepted the praise with diffidence' would suggest she felt undeserving. In everyday use, modesty and humility overlap considerably, but modesty is the narrower, more achievement-focused term.

humilityreserve ↗diffidencemodesty ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • out of modesty
  • with all due modesty
  • a show of modesty
  • in all modesty

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Modesty entered English from French modestie, which came from Latin modestia meaning 'moderation, restraint, proper measure'. The Latin root modestus ('keeping within measure, restrained') is related to modus ('measure, manner, standard'). This original idea of staying within proper limits developed in two directions: one referring to humility about one's own worth (sense 1), the other referring to propriety in appearance and behaviour (sense 3).