modest
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒdɪst/
adjective
- 1unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities or achievements: he was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise
- 2(of an amount, rate, or level) relatively moderate, limited, or small: drink modest amounts of alcohol employment growth was relatively modest
- not large, elaborate, or expensive: a modest flat in Fulham it was a nice wedding, necessarily modest
- 3(of a woman) dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention: the modest women wear long-sleeved dresses and all but cover their faces
- (of clothing) not revealing or emphasizing a person’s figure: modest dress means that hemlines must be below the knee
Origin:
mid 16th century: from French modeste, from Latin modestus 'keeping due measure', related to modus 'measure'