Word
unassuming
Phoneticsunas·sum·ing
US/ˌənəˈsumɪŋ/
UK/ʌnɐsˈuːmɪŋ/
Definition
adj. not trying to look important or special. You use this to describe someone who is modest and does not show off their talents or success.
adj. modest in appearance or manner; not seeking to impress or attract attention. Often used to describe a person's demeanor or a building's design.
Examples
“He is a very talented musician, but he has an unassuming personality.”
“The scientist lived in an unassuming cottage on the edge of the village, far from the university's main campus.”
“Despite his groundbreaking contributions to the field, the professor maintained an unassuming presence, preferring to walk through the halls in plain clothes rather than wear formal academic regalia.”
Examples
simple
“He is a very talented musician, but he has an unassuming personality.”
contextual
“The scientist lived in an unassuming cottage on the edge of the village, far from the university's main campus.”
complex
“Despite his groundbreaking contributions to the field, the professor maintained an unassuming presence, preferring to walk through the halls in plain clothes rather than wear formal academic regalia.”
Real-World Examples
“But it has since revealed far more about the lives of Europe's prehistoric hunter-gatherers than its unassuming appearance would have suggested.” “But it has since revealed far more about the lives of Europe’s prehistoric hunter-gatherers than its unassuming appearance might have suggested.” Etymology
From un- + assuming.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unassuming