demureness

IPA/dɪˈmjʊə.nəs/
IPA/dɪˈmjʊr.nəs/

demureness — noun

1. a quiet, modest way of behaving that avoids attracting attention to yourself

1.nounC1
Definition

a quiet, modest way of behaving that avoids attracting attention to yourself

Example

Mayumi's demureness made her popular with the older teachers at the school.

possessive + demureness as subject

The villagers admired Adaeze for her demureness, even when she was praised in public.

admire + for + demureness — contrast between praise and modesty

Common collocations
  • quiet demureness
  • natural demureness
  • air of demureness
  • with demureness
  • mistake someone's demureness for shyness
Synonyms
  • modesty

    more common and neutral; modesty can describe anyone without the gendered or old-fashioned tone of demureness

  • reserve

    focuses on keeping thoughts and feelings private rather than on quiet, polite behaviour

  • shyness

    suggests nervousness or lack of confidence, whereas demureness is a chosen, calm restraint

Antonyms
  • boldness

    willingness to take risks or speak out, the opposite of quiet modesty

  • brashness

    loud, confident behaviour that draws attention, contrasting sharply with demureness

Grammar Patterns

possessive + demureness

demureness + of + noun

Usage Note

Uncountable noun most often used with a possessive determiner (her demureness, his demureness). Commonly describes women and girls, though it can also describe men. Not used in the plural.

Common Mistakes

She showed great demurenesses during the ceremony.
She showed great demureness during the ceremony.
demureness is uncountable and has no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Demureness, modesty, reserve, and shyness all describe a person who does not push themselves forward, but each word highlights a different shade. Modesty (the most common of the four) focuses on not bragging or showing off one's achievements. Reserve suggests a deliberate emotional distance — a reserved person keeps their thoughts and feelings to themselves. Shyness implies nervousness or fear of social judgment, often something the person wishes they could overcome. Demureness sits closest to modesty but adds the idea of quiet, polite, gentle behaviour, often with a traditional, slightly old-fashioned ring. A demure person is not just humble — they move, speak, and dress in a way that avoids notice. Example: 'Her modesty meant she never mentioned her award.' 'His reserve made it hard to know what he was thinking.' 'Her shyness kept her from raising her hand in class.' 'The young bride's demureness charmed the older guests.'

demureness ↗modesty ↗reserve ↗shyness ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • air of demureness
  • appearance of demureness
  • mask of demureness

Phrases

  • with quiet demureness
  • behind a veil of demureness

Prepositions

  • with demureness

Etymology

LatinFrenchAnglo-NormanMiddle EnglishEnglish

Demureness comes from the adjective demure, which has its roots in Middle English. The word demure was borrowed from Anglo-Norman demuré, meaning 'sober, serious, grave'. That form comes from the Old French verb demorer ('to stay, wait, linger'), which itself traces back to Latin demorari ('to linger, delay'). Over time the meaning shifted from 'serious and grave' to 'quiet, modest, and reserved in behaviour' — the sense we know today.