# modest

/ˈmɑdəst/ (US) · /mˈɒdəst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/modest
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. humble about achievements

adjective · CEFR B2

not talking too much about your own abilities or successes.

For teachers: unpretentious and humble regarding one's own abilities, achievements, or status.

- Despite winning the gold medal, she remained modest and thanked her coach.
- The author was remarkably modest about her success, often attributing her best-selling novels to luck rather than her own literary talent.

### 2. small or moderate

adjective · CEFR B2

not very large, expensive, or important.

For teachers: moderate or limited in size, quantity, or scope; not excessive or ostentatious.

- They live in a modest house on the edge of town.
- The company reported a modest increase in profits this quarter, which satisfied investors without causing a surge in stock prices.

### 3. conservative in dress

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

dressing or behaving in a way that does not show too much of the body.

For teachers: conforming to traditional standards of propriety in dress or behaviour, specifically to avoid attracting sexual attention.

- She chose a modest dress for the religious ceremony.
- The school's dress code requires students to wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees during formal assemblies.

## Examples

- He is very modest about his high grades.
- Despite her massive success in the tech industry, she lives in a modest apartment and drives an old car.
- The architect proposed a modest expansion that would respect the original building's proportions rather than overwhelming the site with a grand, modern structure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.