demurely

/dɪˈmjʊəli/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈmjʊrli/ (ame, ipa)

demurely — adverb

1. if someone, especially a woman, behaves demurely, she acts in a soft, modest, an

1.副詞C1
釋義

if someone, especially a woman, behaves demurely, she acts in a soft, modest, and well-mannered way, often looking down or smiling slightly so as not to draw attention to herself.

例句

Adina lowered her eyes demurely when the photographer asked her to pose for the camera.

verb + demurely modifying physical action

The bride smiled demurely at her guests as she walked down the aisle of the small chapel.

demurely with a smile/facial expression

同義詞
  • modestly

    very close in meaning, but more general and not limited to women

  • primly

    stronger sense of being overly proper or formal

  • coyly

    emphasises pretended shyness, often flirtatious

  • meekly

    stresses submission or lack of resistance rather than modesty

反義詞
  • boldly

    with confidence and no hesitation

  • brazenly

    shamelessly and without shyness

用法筆記

Almost always used of women or girls, often with a slightly old-fashioned or literary feel; sometimes hints that the modest behaviour is partly for show. Common collocations are verbs of looking, smiling, speaking, or eating — not loud or assertive actions.

常見錯誤

❌He shouted demurely at the crowd.
✅He spoke quietly to the crowd.
💡demurely describes soft, modest behaviour, so it cannot pair with shouting or other loud actions.
❌She walked demurely into the meeting and slammed the door.
✅She walked demurely into the meeting and closed the door softly.
💡demurely sets a quiet, restrained tone that contradicts forceful follow-up actions.