demure
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demure
shy; modest; reserved; retiring
Not to be confused with:
demur – to make objection, esp. on the grounds of scruples; take exception; hesitation
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
de·mure
(dĭ-myo͝or′)adj. de·mur·er, de·mur·est
1. Modest and reserved in manner or behavior.
2. Characterized by or suggestive of reserve or modesty: a demure smile; a demure outfit.
[Middle English, probably from Anglo-Norman (influenced by Old French mur, meur, mature, serious), past participle of demurer, to delay, wait; see demur.]
de·mure′ly adv.
de·mure′ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
demure
(dɪˈmjʊə)adj
1. sedate; decorous; reserved
2. affectedly modest or prim; coy
[C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature]
deˈmurely adv
deˈmureness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•mure
(dɪˈmyʊər)adj. -mur•er, -mur•est.
1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
2. affectedly or coyly decorous or sedate.
[1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) well-mannered, grave]
de•mure′ly, adv.
de•mure′ness, n.
syn: See modest.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also related terms for shy.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Adj. | 1. | demure - affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way modest - not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
demure
adjective
1. shy (usually used of a young woman) reserved, modest, retiring, reticent, unassuming, diffident, decorous She's very demure and sweet.
shy forward, brash, brazen, shameless, impudent, immodest
shy forward, brash, brazen, shameless, impudent, immodest
2. coy, prim, bashful, prudish, prissy (informal), strait-laced, affected, priggish, niminy-piminy a demure frumpy middle-aged librarian
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
demure
adjectiveThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
مُحْتَشِم، مُتَظاهِر بالإحْتِشام
ostýchavýupejpavýzdrženlivý
ærbardydig
tagasihoidlik
kaino
feiminn, alvörugefinn; hlédrægur
kuklutisnedrąsiainedrąsutis
atturīgsliekuļoti kautrīgs
demure
[dɪˈmjʊəʳ] ADJ [person] (= modest) → recatado; (= coy) → tímido y algo coqueto; [clothing, appearance] → recatadoin a demure little voice → en tono dulce y algo coqueta
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
demure
adj (+er) → sittsam
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
demure
(diˈmjuə) adjective quiet, shy, modest and well behaved (sometimes deceptively). She looked too demure ever to do such a bold thing.
deˈmurely adverbdeˈmureness noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.