Definition of modesty Modesty

/mɑˈdʌsti/ - [madustee] - mod•es•ty

We found 10 definitions of modesty from 6 different sources.

What does modesty mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: modesties
modesty - freedom from vanity or conceit
		modestness
		immodesty the trait of being vain and conceited
		modest not large but sufficient in size or amount; "a modest salary"; "modest inflation"; "helped in my own small way"
		immodest offending against sexual mores in conduct or appearance
		decency the quality of being polite and respectable
modesty - formality and propriety of manner
		reserve
		correctitude, properness, propriety correct or appropriate behavior

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Wiktionary

modesty (Noun)
The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities.
modesty (Noun)
Moderate behaviour; reserve.
modesty (Noun)
Pudency, prudish avoidance of sexual explicitness.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

modesty (n.)
The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit.
modesty (n.)
Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action.

Proverbs DictionaryProverbs Dictionary 📗

modesty
Modesty is the handmaid of virtue.

Wikipedia

Modesty (also called demureness or reticence) is the name for a number of norms of behaviour a society expects form the individual people that make up this society.

Different fashions test the level of modesty. People are usually also subjected to peer pressure.

Different levels of modesty apply in different situations, and to different groups of people.

Modesty does not apply in an emergency situation.

Modesty is a social norm, it does not apply when it cannot, such as in an emergency. In the case of an emergency it is more important that doctors treat those that are wounded. It does not matter that doctors may see those people naked. In some cases, it may be necessary that they take off all the clothes, to be able to treat them better.

Some people still insist on maintaining their standards of modesty, even in an emergency situation.

Different levels of modesty for different groups of people.

Modesty usually says that the parts of the human body that do not need to be exposed should not be. Usually, this applies to bare skin, hair, undergarments, and and especially to intimate parts. Sometimes, the standards do not only say that the respective part should be hidden, but also that special clothing should hide its shape, what it looks like. Certain standards say how the changing of clothes should be done, like using a towel on a beach or closing (and locking) a door of a cabin that is provided.

Social standing or class can also matter. That way, different rules can apply to p