demure
adjective
de·mure di-ˈmyu̇r 
1
: reserved, modest
2
: affectedly modest, reserved, or serious : coy
demurely adverb
demureness noun
Did you know?
In the nearly four centuries that demure has been in use, its meaning has only shifted slightly. While it began solely as a descriptive term for people of quiet modesty and sedate reserve—those who don't draw attention to themselves, whether because of a shy nature or determined self-control—it came to be applied also to those whose modesty and reservation is more affectation than sincere expression. While demure sounds French and entered the language at a time when the native tongue of England was borrowing many French words from the Normans who gained control of the country after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the etymological evidence requires that we exercise restraint: the word's origin remains obscure.
Synonyms
- coquettish
- coy
- kittenish
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
So even if you think you've moved past your reputation as The Rebel, two minutes after getting together with your more demure sister, you're likely to fall back into that hell-raiser role. 
Jessica Mehalic, Cosmopolitan, August 2001 It looked as though the dress and capelet were one piece. It created a demure look, but if you take off the capelet, it's a seductive strapless dress. Elizabeth Hayt, Vogue, December 1999 I made a lot of friends at Les Tourelles with whom I have kept in touch over the years. There was one darling little girl, much younger than the rest of us, who was sweet, demure, and quiet, with beautiful long hair like Alice in Wonderland. Anna Russell, I'm Not Making This Up, You Know, 1985 She was wearing a demure gray suit. the demure charm of the cottage
Jessica Mehalic, Cosmopolitan, August 2001 It looked as though the dress and capelet were one piece. It created a demure look, but if you take off the capelet, it's a seductive strapless dress. Elizabeth Hayt, Vogue, December 1999 I made a lot of friends at Les Tourelles with whom I have kept in touch over the years. There was one darling little girl, much younger than the rest of us, who was sweet, demure, and quiet, with beautiful long hair like Alice in Wonderland. Anna Russell, I'm Not Making This Up, You Know, 1985 She was wearing a demure gray suit. the demure charm of the cottage Recent Examples on the Web Diana was demure in a pale powder blue dress with pearl buttons and headband fascinator with lace at the enthronement of Emperor Akihito in Tokyo in 1990. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2022 Following an introduction by a demure high school salutatorian, Abrams spoke. Kevin Lee, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2022 Princess Diana looked as demure as ever in a teal-and-white Catherine Walker suit and Philip Somerville hat while visiting the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2022 And Selina might as well be wearing a white veil the whole movie; that’s how demure and pure of heart she is written to be. Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 As a result, bridesmaids’ dresses have remained classic and demure, with pastel, dusty, and neutral colors reigning in the market. Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 29 June 2022 Velvet Buzzsaw star Ashton was extremely demure about her rock at the BAFTAs last weekend, keeping her ring finger hidden under her sleeve, which... Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2022 The boxy fit and exaggerated bow closures on this option are demure but not overly saccharine. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Apr. 2022 But even in Sport+ mode, at legal(ish) and reasonable speeds, the Type S plants itself on the refined and demure side of the supercar spectrum. Matt Farah, Car and Driver, 3 May 2022 See More
Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2022 Following an introduction by a demure high school salutatorian, Abrams spoke. Kevin Lee, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2022 Princess Diana looked as demure as ever in a teal-and-white Catherine Walker suit and Philip Somerville hat while visiting the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2022 And Selina might as well be wearing a white veil the whole movie; that’s how demure and pure of heart she is written to be. Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022 As a result, bridesmaids’ dresses have remained classic and demure, with pastel, dusty, and neutral colors reigning in the market. Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 29 June 2022 Velvet Buzzsaw star Ashton was extremely demure about her rock at the BAFTAs last weekend, keeping her ring finger hidden under her sleeve, which... Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2022 The boxy fit and exaggerated bow closures on this option are demure but not overly saccharine. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Apr. 2022 But even in Sport+ mode, at legal(ish) and reasonable speeds, the Type S plants itself on the refined and demure side of the supercar spectrum. Matt Farah, Car and Driver, 3 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
demure
adjective
de·mure di-ˈmyu̇r
1
: proper and reserved in behavior and speech
2
: pretending to be proper and reserved : coy
demure
adjective
1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest the previously demure maiden began making some surprisingly shocking remarks Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- coquettish
- kittenish
- coy
- flirtatious
- flirty
- prudish
- girlish
- priggish
- prim
- overmodest
- governessy
- goody-goody
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncoy
2
as in shy
not comfortable around people hesitant and demure, she hardly spoke a word at the banquet table Synonyms & Similar Words
- shy
- withdrawn
- bashful
- coy
- diffident
- modest
- sheepish
- lone
- self-effacing
- introverted
- recessive
- retiring
- reserved
- backward
- unassertive
- embarrassed
- awkward
- unsociable
- uptight
- antisocial
- unadventurous
- unsocial
- unenterprising
- inhibited
- uneasy
- self-conscious
- lone-wolf
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extroverted
- immodest
- outgoing
- extraverted
- gregarious
- sociable
- social
- companionable
- convivial
- forceful
- bold
- uninhibited
- dashing
- brash
- boon
- clubbable
- unreserved
- forward
- clubable
- overbold
3
as in meek
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness wore a very demure outfit to the interview for the job at the church's headquarters Synonyms & Similar Words
- meek
- humble
- modest
- timid
- unassuming
- unaffected
- shy
- unpretentious
- quiet
- naive
- subdued
- lowly
- unassertive
- deferential
- down-to-earth
- simple
- passive
- acquiescent
- submissive
- bashful
- unaggressive
- diffident
- reserved
- compliant
- sheepish
- resigned
- mousy
- plain
- ingenuous
- unobtrusive
- cowering
- yielding
- cringing
- introverted
- self-effacing
- naïve
- retiring
- shrinking
- mousey
- self-deprecatory
- self-deprecating
- aw-shucks
- overmodest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- haughty
- arrogant
- assertive
- aggressive
- saucy
- imperious
- supercilious
- impudent
- pompous
- cheeky
- bold
- egotistical
- brash
- bumptious
- superior
- pretentious
- brassy
- peremptory
- presumptuous
- conceited
- confident
- audacious
- uppity
- egotistic
- cocky
- uppish
- impertinent
- huffy
- lordly
- chesty
- highfalutin
- cocksure
- hifalutin
- smug
- forward
- overweening
- dominant
- self-assertive
- narcissistic
- presuming
- bombastic
- overconfident
- flamboyant
- egocentric
- showy
- vain
- boastful
- prideful
- hubristic
- swaggering
- hoity-toity
- domineering
- egoistic
- high-and-mighty
- high-handed
- egoistical
- disdainful
- self-asserting
- huffish
- overbearing
- condescending
- toplofty
- fastuous
- ostentatious
- self-confident
- vainglorious
- uninhibited
- toploftical
- patronizing
- high-hat
- dominating
- magisterial
- extroverted
- self-engrossed
- immodest
- outgoing
- self-satisfied
- self-contented
- self-complacent
- stuck-up
- self-centered
- self-obsessed
- self-congratulatory
- self-important
- self-conceited
- extraverted
- braggy
- unreserved
- self-pleased
- self-affected
- swelled-headed
- pontificating