modest

modest — adjective

1. smaller or less costly than what is typical; not intended to impress through siz

1.形容詞B1
釋義

smaller or less costly than what is typical; not intended to impress through size or expense.

例句

Lukas and his family live in a modest apartment near the city centre.

The restaurant charges modest prices for its excellent home-cooked meals.

collocation: modest prices / modest fees

同義詞
  • moderate

    more neutral; modest adds a slight sense of being unpretentious

  • reasonable

    focuses on price being fair and acceptable

  • humble

    more emotional or literary, often describing a home or background

  • unpretentious

    less common; emphasises not trying to appear impressive

反義詞
  • extravagant

    spending or costing far more than necessary

  • lavish

    large in amount and expensive in a showy way

  • excessive

    more than is reasonable or necessary

文法句型

modest + noun

verb + modest

常見錯誤

❌The apartment was a very modest price.
✅The apartment was a very reasonable price.
💡'Modest' describes the price as low, but it is not typically used with intensifiers like 'very' in this pattern.

2. not boastful about one's own skills, achievements, or possessions; tending to av

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not boastful about one's own skills, achievements, or possessions; tending to avoid drawing attention to oneself.

例句

Even after winning the national competition, Christopher remained modest about his talent.

remain + modest + about [something]

Hui is too modest to tell anyone about the scholarship she received.

同義詞
  • humble

    stronger; often implies low social position or self-abasement

  • unassuming

    natural and quiet, not trying to impress

  • self-effacing

    more formal; actively downplays one's own importance

反義詞
  • boastful

    frequently talking about one's own achievements

  • arrogant

    having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance

  • conceited

    too proud of oneself and one's abilities

文法句型

be + modest

remain + modest

modest + about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'about' + noun or gerund to specify what someone avoids boasting about (e.g., 'modest about her achievements', 'modest about winning').

常見錯誤

❌She is modest to her success.
✅She is modest about her success.
💡The correct preposition after 'modest' in this sense is 'about,' not 'to.'
❌He is a modest and humble person — he brags all the time.
✅He is a modest person who rarely talks about himself.
💡A modest person does not brag, so the original sentence is self-contradictory.

3. designed or chosen so as not to reveal the body or arouse sexual interest; not s

3.形容詞B2
釋義

designed or chosen so as not to reveal the body or arouse sexual interest; not sexually suggestive.

例句

For the wedding, Dario wore a modest suit that covered his arms and legs.

modest suit / modest clothing (body-covering)

Hamza's sister prefers modest clothing and does not wear short skirts.

同義詞
  • decent

    less formal; focuses on basic coverage

  • conservative

    emphasises traditional standards of dress

  • proper

    focuses on social acceptability of appearance

反義詞
  • revealing

    showing much of the body

  • provocative

    intended to cause sexual interest

  • immodest

    the direct opposite; failing to meet standards of decency

文法句型

modest + noun (clothing, behaviour)

用法筆記

Typically used before nouns referring to clothing (dress, skirt, swimsuit, outfit) or appearance. Less commonly used for behaviour, where 'proper' or 'decorous' may be more natural in non-religious contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He wore a modest suit to the job interview.' (when meaning 'formal and not flashy')
✅He wore a conservative suit to the job interview.
💡For professional or formal attire that is simply not bold or flashy, 'conservative' is more natural than 'modest.'