demure
AdjectiveUS[dih-myoor]/dɪˈmjʊr/2 syllables
Open English WordNet
Adjective (1)
- affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative waySynonyms: coyovermodestOpposite immodestSimilar modest
Word of the day · Oct 26About this word
demureadjective
You are looking at today’s word. Test yourself with the rest of today’s quiz.
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
De·mure′ (dē-mūr′), adjective
Origin: Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. mœurs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see Moral); or more prob. fr. OF. meür, F. mûr mature, ripe (see Mature) in a phrase preceded by de, as de mûre conduite of mature conduct.
1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
Sober, steadfast, and demure.— John Milton
Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.— William Black
2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.— Sir Roger L'Estrange
Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.— Mary R. Mitford
De·mure′ intransitive verb
To look demurely. obsolete William Shakespeare
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54