modesty
/ˈmɒdəsti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːdəsti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmä-də-stē/ (ame, mw)
modesty — noun
1. The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills,
The attitude or behaviour of someone who does not boast about their own skills, achievements, or good qualities.
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]
The young chef accepted the award with quiet modesty, thanking his whole team.
Daichi has achieved great wealth, yet he lives with remarkable modesty and never shows off.
- 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.
- arrogance
An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
- boastfulness
The habit of talking too proudly about oneself.
文法句型
modesty + about + noun phrase
with + modesty
possessive + modesty
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
2. A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself
A polite formula used before or after saying something favourable about yourself, to show that you do not wish to appear boastful.
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)
With all due modesty, I think this is the best report I have written.
Nkechi spoke with all due modesty when she described her role in the discovery.
With all due modesty, our department handled the crisis remarkably well.
- humbly speaking
Similar softening effect but less idiomatic and more direct.
- if I may say so myself
More informal; carries a slightly playful or self-aware tone.
文法句型
in all modesty (sentence adverbial)
with all due modesty
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. The standard of dressing and acting in a restrained, proper manner so as not to
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.
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.
Defne chose a dress with a high neckline out of a sense of personal modesty.
When Heloísa wore a short dress, her grandmother said standards of modesty had changed.
文法句型
modesty + in + noun phrase
sense of modesty
standards of modesty
用法筆記
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.