From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmodestymod‧es‧ty /ˈmɒdəsti $ ˈmɑː-/ noun [uncountable] 1 MODESTa modest way of behaving or talking ‘Anyone else would have done the same thing, ’ he said with typical modesty.2 SHOW/LET somebody SEE somethingunwillingness to show your body or do anything that may attract sexual interest3 → in all modesty4 → modesty forbids → false modesty at false(4)
Examples from the Corpus
modesty• His honesty and modesty endeared him to many people who valued his wise advice.• At such moments, scientific etiquette demands modesty.• Last year, I had what in all due modesty I shall call a brilliant idea.• It would be false modesty to fail to recognize that it is you that is selling..• Miranda was not one for false modesty. She enjoyed being told that she was beautiful.• Rod isn't known for his modesty.• His modesty, considering his world-wide fame in his field, was endearing.• Women writers were expected to remain within strict bounds of modesty.• It is appropriate to contrast the modesty of his home with those of more affluent politicians.• "I'm a bank manager, '' she said, then added with typical modesty, "of a very small bank.''• It was a horrifying proclamation, when modesty caused the legs even of pianos to be decently covered.• He answers with modesty when asked about his role in the war. 