immodesty

IPA/ɪˈmɒd.ə.sti/
IPA/ɪˈmɑː.də.sti/

immodesty — noun

1. the quality of thinking and showing that your own ability, value, or success is

1.nounC1
Definition

the quality of thinking and showing that your own ability, value, or success is greater than it really is.

Example

Valentina's immodesty annoyed the judges after she praised herself on stage.

pattern: someone's immodesty

The interviewer smiled at Hugo's immodesty when he called himself a genius.

usage: judge someone's self-praise as immodesty

Common collocations
  • someone's immodesty
  • the immodesty of the claim
  • accuse someone of immodesty
  • show immodesty
Synonyms
  • conceit

    stronger and more inward-looking, suggesting a deep belief in one's superiority

  • vanity

    often narrower, especially about appearance or wanting admiration

  • self-importance

    focuses on acting as if your status matters more than other people's

Antonyms
  • modesty

    the direct opposite, showing restraint about your own merits

  • humility

    broader and warmer, with less focus on public self-praise

Grammar Patterns

someone's immodesty

the immodesty of + claim/comparison

accuse someone of immodesty

Usage Note

Often used when a person's self-praise feels socially excessive rather than simply true. Distinguish it from confidence: confidence can be justified, while immodesty suggests too little restraint.

Common Mistakes

Her immodesty dress shocked the guests.
Her immodest dress shocked the guests.
use the adjective before a clothing noun, not the abstract noun.
He spoke with immodesty about the award.
He spoke immodestly about the award.
after a verb of speaking, English usually needs the adverb for manner.

2. behaviour, dress, or display that is judged to show more of the body than is con

2.nounC1
Definition

behaviour, dress, or display that is judged to show more of the body than is considered proper.

Example

Temple staff said the poster's immodesty would offend families visiting the hall.

pattern: the immodesty of + display

Amira covered the advertisement because its immodesty upset her younger cousins.

usage: criticize a display for immodesty

Common collocations
  • the immodesty of the poster
  • ban for immodesty
  • complain about immodesty
  • suggest immodesty
Synonyms
  • indecency

    stronger and more openly moralizing, often for behaviour that shocks people

  • impropriety

    broader and more formal, covering bad social behaviour beyond clothing

  • lewdness

    much stronger, suggesting openly sexual intention rather than mere lack of restraint

Antonyms
  • modesty

    restraint in dress or bodily display

  • decency

    broader social acceptability, not only about clothing

Grammar Patterns

the immodesty of + dress/poster/swimsuit

ban something for immodesty

complain about immodesty

Usage Note

Usually carries another person's moral, religious, or cultural judgement about what is being shown. Distinguish it from sense 1: this sense is about bodily display, not boasting.

Common Mistakes

The teacher warned her about immodesty clothes.
The teacher warned her about immodest clothes.
use the adjective before a clothing noun.
The swimsuit was immodesty.
The swimsuit was immodest.
after be, English uses the adjective, not the abstract noun.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all suggest an exaggerated view of yourself, but they point in different directions. 'Immodesty' focuses on the lack of restraint that other people notice when someone praises their own ability or success too openly. 'Vanity' often centres on wanting admiration, especially for appearance or personal image. 'Conceit' is stronger and more inward: it suggests a settled belief that you are special or superior. 'Arrogance' is harsher still because it adds contempt for other people, not just admiration for yourself. A singer who keeps praising her own performance may show immodesty, a person who checks every mirror may show vanity, a student who dismisses correction may show conceit, and a manager who talks down to the team shows arrogance.

immodesty ↗vanity ↗conceit ↗arrogance

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • accuse someone of immodesty
  • the immodesty of + noun
  • show immodesty

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

English formed this noun from 'immodest' plus the ending '-y'. Behind both words is Latin 'modestus', meaning restrained or keeping within proper limits, with the negative prefix 'in-' changing to 'im-' before 'm'. The word first referred to a lack of restraint in behaviour or speech and later also to dress or display judged too revealing.