Definitions for modesty
ˈmɒd ə stimod·esty

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.7 / 3 votes

1. modesty, modestnessnoun

   freedom from vanity or conceit

2. modesty, reservenoun

   formality and propriety of manner

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. modestynoun

   The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.

2. modestynoun

   Moderate behaviour; reserve.

3. modestynoun

   Pudency, prudish avoidance of sexual explicitness.

4. Etymology: From modest + -y.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Modestynoun

   Etymology: modestie, Fr. modestas, Latin.

   1. Not arrogance; not presumptuousness.

   They cannot, with modesty, think to have found out absolutely the best which the wit of men may devise. Richard Hooker.

   2. Not impudence; not forwardness.3. Moderation; decency.

   A lord will hear you play;
   But I am doubtful of your modesties,
   Lest over eying of his odd behaviour,
   You break into some merry passion. William Shakespeare.

   4. Chastity; purity of manners.

   Would you not swear,
   All you that see her, that she were a maid,
   By these exterior shews? But she is more,
   Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. William Shakespeare.

   Of the general character of women, which is modesty, he has taken a most becoming care; for his amorous expressions go no farther than virtue may allow. Dryden.

   Talk not to a lady in a way that modesty will not permit her to answer. Clarissa.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Modesty

   Modesty, sometimes known as demureness, is a mode of dress and deportment which intends to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others. The word "modesty" comes from the Latin word modestus which means "keeping within measure". Standards of modesty are culturally and context dependent and vary widely. In this use, it may be considered inappropriate or immodest to reveal certain parts of the body. In some societies, modesty may involve women covering their bodies completely and not talking to men who are not immediate family members; in others, a fairly revealing but one-piece bathing costume is considered modest while other women wear bikinis. In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency, and public nudity is generally illegal in most of the world and regarded as indecent exposure. For example, Stephen Gough, a lone man attempting to walk naked from south to north in the United Kingdom, was repeatedly imprisoned. However, nudity is at times tolerated in some societies; for example by Digambara monks in India, who renounce clothing for ascetic reasons, and during a World Naked Bike Ride.In semi-public contexts standards of modesty can vary by region. Nudity may be acceptable in public single-sex changing rooms at swimming baths, for example, or for mass medical examination of people for military service. In private, standards again depend upon the circumstances. A person who would never disrobe in the presence of the opposite sex in a social context might unquestioningly do so for a medical examination; others might allow examination, but only by a person of the same sex.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. modesty

   Modesty is a personal or societal standard of behavior or appearance that values humility, restraint, and avoidance of extravagance or attention-seeking. It often involves a lack of arrogance and pretentiousness and may also be associated with decent dressing and good manners. Modesty can also relate to self-understanding, acknowledging one's limitations or faults, and not assuming superiority over others.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Modestynoun

   the quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit

2. Modestynoun

   natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action

WikidataRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Modesty

   Modesty is a mode of dress and deportment intended not to encourage sexual attraction in others; actual standards vary widely. In this use, it can be considered inappropriate or immodest to reveal certain parts of the body. A modest woman would not behave so as to encourage the sexual attention of men. In some societies women must cover their bodies completely and may never talk to men who are not immediate family members; in others a fairly revealing but one-piece bathing costume is considered modest when other women wear bikinis. Modesty in dress and deportment is usually encouraged by peer pressure, although a few countries enforce rigid dress codes. In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency, and public nudity is generally illegal in most of the world and regarded as indecent exposure. However, nudity is at times tolerated in some societies; for example, during a world naked bike ride, while a lone man attempting to walk naked from south to north Britain was repeatedly imprisoned. Small children are widely not expected to be fully clothed in public until they are grown up. In semi-public contexts standards of modesty vary. Nudity may be acceptable in public single-sex changing rooms at swimming baths, for example, or for mass medical examination of men for military service. In private, standards again depend upon the circumstances. A person who would never disrobe in the presence of a physician of the opposite sex in a social context might unquestioningly do so for a medical examination; others might allow examination, but only by a person of the same sex.

The Roycroft DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. modesty

   1. A beau-catcher that young ladies wear and women affect. 2. In a sweetmeat, the souffle through which we dig to reach the plums. 3. The blush on the face of Desire at the consciousness of its own immodesty. 4. Among men modesty is the will-to-wait and seize. 5. Venom, who sidles into corners and shuns the limelight, so that he may the better see. 6. The attitude of mind that precedes the pounce. 7. The subtlest symptom of paranoia. 8. Egotism turned wrong side out.

Matched Categories

1. • Decency
   • Propriety

Anagrams for modesty »

1. dystome

How to pronounce modesty?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say modesty in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of modesty in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of modesty in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of modesty in a Sentence

1. Confucius:

   He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

2. Bernard Mandeville:

   The multitude will hardly believe the excessive force of education, and in the difference of modesty between men and women, ascribe that to nature, which is altogether owing to early instruction: Miss is scarce three years old, but she's spoke to every day to hide her leg, and rebuked in good earnest if she shows it; whilst little Master at the same age is bid to take up his coats, and piss like a man.

3. Honoré de Balzac:

   Modesty is the conscience of the body.

4. Lord Chesterfield:

   Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

5. Marquis de Sade:

   Sex is as important as eating or drinking and we ought to allow the one appetite to be satisfied with as little restraint or false modesty as the other.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=modesty
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Modesty
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=modesty
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modesty
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modesty
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=modesty
8. ^ The Roycroft Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36566/36566-h/36566-h.htm#:~:text=modesty