Meaning 1
Without boasting or exaggerating one's importance.
Reach for it when describing accurate but restrained self-presentation
He modestly credited the entire crew while naming his own responsibility.
Meaning 2
To a limited or restrained degree.
Reach for it when describing a small scale, amount, or decorative effect
The entrance was modestly enlarged to improve wheelchair turning space.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional |
| |
| formal |
everyday
without boasting
Fits when the contrast should be explicit and plain
Careful The negative phrase does not describe positive confidence or accuracy.
warm
Fits when absence of self-importance shapes the manner
Careful Humbly can imply submission and may pressure someone to minimize real expertise.
warm
Fits when low-key presentation matters
Careful Quietly concerns volume or visibility and does not establish modesty.
formal
unassumingly
Fits when someone avoids drawing attention to status or achievement
Careful The rare adverb is awkward and may confuse readers.
everyday
slightly
Fits when a small degree is the only intended claim
Careful Slightly may indicate less change than modestly.
warm
simply
Fits when lack of ornament or complication matters
Careful Simply can mean merely and does not quantify scale.
professional
Fits when degree stays within a middle range
Careful Moderately can be stronger and less restrained than modestly.
professional
on a small scale
Fits when scope should be made explicit
Careful The phrase concerns scale and cannot describe an unboastful manner.
formal
with restraint
Fits when deliberate limitation of display is central
Careful Restraint may result from rules or scarcity rather than modest choice.
modestly describe
She modestly described a redesign that had transformed the service.
modestly priced
The canteen serves three modestly priced lunches.
modestly successful
The first trial was modestly successful and worth refining.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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