modest
Not boasting about your talents or success.
modest in a sentence
- Despite scoring the winning goal, Sam stayed modest and praised his teammates.
- Though her painting won first prize, Iris stayed modest and said anyone could have done it.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to modest?
- Ahumble
- Bboastful
- Cshowy
- Dproud
Show the answer
A: humble. The other three mean the opposite of modest.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to modest?
- Aboastful
- Bunassuming
- Chumble
Show the answer
A: boastful. The other three mean nearly the same as modest.
Words that mean something similar
humble, unassuming
Words that mean the opposite
boastful, proud, showy
More words about character & personality
- mortal: Certain to die one day, like all living things.
- naive: Believing things too easily because you have not yet learned how tricky people can be.
- noted: Well known and respected, especially for a particular skill.
- notorious: Famous for something bad.
- objective: Based on facts rather than on personal feelings.
- obstinate: Refusing to change your mind or do what others want, however hard they try.
- odious: So unpleasant that it makes you feel strong dislike.
- outcast: A person who has been rejected and left out by others.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test