unpretendingadj.
/ˌʌnprᵻˈtɛndɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌənprəˈtɛndɪŋ/ Not pretending; unpretentious, unassuming, humble.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > modesty > [adjective]
simplec1300
measurablec1330
methec1390
murec1390
smallc1405
soleinc1450
timorous1474
modest1561
unbragging1570
unboldened1591
unpresuming1607
bragless1609
unambitious1621
boastless1632
unpompous1656
verecundous1656
sober1659
tender-foreheaded1659
unpragmatical1673
unpretending1681
unpresumptuous1704
unimportant1727
unaspiringa1729
inambitious1729
unassuming1730
unostentatiousa1739
unboastful1744
pretensionless1748
unarrogating1748
uncontending1748
unopinionated1775
unboasting1802
underbearing1802
mousy1812
un-ultra1817
unarrogant1831
low-flying1835
unconceited1838
unpretentious1838
uninflated1861
unvain1863
unbumptious1865
1681 J. Oldham Satyrs upon Jesuits 63 Happy the time, when th' unpretending Crowd No more, than I, its [sc. the Bible's] language understood.
1694 J. Collier Misc. iii. 17 Ought they not to be somewhat Frugal, and Unpretending in their Appearance?
1730 A. Pope Corr. 29 Aug. (1956) III. 128 Feeling himself honest, true, & un-pretending to more than was his own.
1827 W. Scott Chron. Canongate Introd. p. iv Mere dignity of mind and rectitude of principle, assisted by unpretending good sense and temper.
1842 W. Wordsworth Borderers ii, in Poems Early & Late Years 308 The unpretending ground we mortals tread.
1859 J. Lang Wanderings in India 7 She..has brought up a large family in the most respectable and unpretending style.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xliv. 101 His house..was so unpretending as to excite the wonder of those who saw it.
1944 D. Tovey Chamber Music xvii. 183 Very short and unpretending arpeggio movements.
1982 Washington Post 7 Apr. e10/1 The homely turnip and the unpretending carrot.
1997 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 18 Dec. 11/1 He was superbly unpretentious and unpretending.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1681