adj.
Pronunciation: ' mä-d ə st
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin modestus moderate; akin to Latin modus measure
Date: 1565
1 a : placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth b : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence
2 : arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3 : observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : DECENT
4 a : limited in size, amount, or scope <a family of modest means> b : UNPRETENTIOUS <a modest home>
synonyms see SHY , CHASTE
– mod · est · ly adverb