modest

modest — 形容詞

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

1.形容詞B1
釋義

樸實；適量

規模或價格不大的

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.

Lukas 一家住在市中心附近一間樸實的公寓裡。

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

這家餐廳的家常菜非常好吃，價格卻很樸實。

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

謙虛；謙遜

不誇耀自己能力的

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.

即使贏得了全國比賽，Christopher 對自己的天賦依然很謙虛。

remain + modest + about [something]

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

Hui 個性太謙虛了，不會跟別人提起她拿到獎學金的事。

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

端莊；保守

衣著言行不引人遐想的

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.

參加婚禮時，Dario 穿了一套端莊的西裝，手臂和腿都遮住了。

modest suit / modest clothing (body-covering)

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

Hamza 的姐姐喜歡穿著端莊，不穿短裙。

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.'