Modest vs. Shy — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Modest and Shy
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Modest
Modest may refer to:
Shy
Nervous or timid in the company of other people
I was pretty shy at school
A shy smile
Modest
Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements
He was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise
Shy
Less than; short of
The shares are 29p shy of their flotation price
Modest
(of an amount, rate, or level) relatively moderate, limited, or small
Drink modest amounts of alcohol
Employment growth was relatively modest
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Shy
(of a plant) not bearing flowers or fruit well or prolifically.
Modest
(of a woman) dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or indecency, especially to avoid attracting sexual attention
The modest women wear long-sleeved dresses and all but cover their faces
Shy
(especially of a horse) start suddenly aside in fright at an object, noise, or movement
Their horses shied at the unfamiliar sight
Modest
Having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own abilities, accomplishments, or value
Was too modest to talk about his success.
Shy
Fling or throw (something) at a target
He tore the spectacles off and shied them at her
Modest
Having or proceeding from a disinclination to call attention to oneself; retiring or diffident
A quiet, modest demeanor.
Shy
A sudden startled movement, especially of a frightened horse.
Modest
Observing conventional proprieties in speech, behavior, or dress, especially in the avoidance of arousing sexual interest.
Shy
An act of flinging or throwing something at a target.
Modest
Free from showiness or ostentation; unpretentious
A house with modest furnishings.
Shy
Easily startled; timid
A shy deer.
Modest
Moderate or limited in size, quantity, or range; not extreme
A modest price.
A newspaper with a modest circulation.
Shy
Tending to avoid contact or familiarity with others; retiring or reserved
A shy student who stayed in the back of the room.
Modest
Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements; unpretentious, humble.
Shy
Characterized by reserve or diffidence
A shy glance.
Modest
Small, moderate in size.
He earns a modest amount of money.
Her latest novel was a modest success.
Shy
Distrustful; wary
Shy of strangers.
Modest
Pure and delicate from a sense of propriety.
Modest thoughts or language
Shy
Not having a sufficient or specified amount, as of money
Was shy $100 on his rent.
Was two victories shy of the school record.
Modest
(especially of behaviour or clothing) Intending to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others.
Shy
To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid
The horse shied at the loud sound.
Modest
Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man.
Shy
To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something
"a film adaptation that would not shy away from the novel's controversial themes" (Scot French).
Modest
Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; - said of a woman.
Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife.
The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
Shy
To throw (something) with a swift motion; fling.
Modest
Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request; modest joy.
Shy
To throw something with a swift motion.
Modest
Marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself;
A modest apartment
Too modest to wear his medals
Shy
A sudden movement, as from fright; a start.
Modest
Not large but sufficient in size or amount;
A modest salary
Modest inflation
Helped in my own small way
Shy
A quick throw; a fling.
Modest
Free from pomp or affectation;
Comfortable but modest cottages
A simple rectangular brick building
A simple man with simple tastes
Shy
(Informal) A gibe; a sneer.
Modest
Not offensive to sexual mores in conduct or appearance
Shy
(Informal) An attempt; a try.
Modest
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Shy
Easily frightened; timid.
Modest
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness;
Meek and self-effacing
Shy
Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
He is very shy with strangers.
Modest
Limited in size or scope;
A small business
A newspaper with a modest circulation
Small-scale plans
A pocket-size country
Shy
Cautious; wary; suspicious.
Modest
Free from ostentation or pretension;
The restrained elegance of the room
Shy
(informal) Short, insufficient or less than.
By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.
It is just shy of a mile from here to their house.
Shy
Embarrassed.
Shy
(intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.
I shy away from investment opportunities I don't understand.
Shy
(intransitive) To jump back in fear.
The horse shied away from the rider, which startled him so much he shied away from the horse.
Shy
(transitive) To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling.
To shy a stone
Shy a slipper
Shy
(Scottish) (transitive) or (intransitive) To throw a ball with two hands above the head, especially when it has crossed the side lines in a football (soccer) match. To hit the ball back into play from the sidelines in a shinty match.
Shy
An act of throwing.
Shy
A place for throwing.
Coconut shy
Shy
A sudden start aside, as by a horse.
Shy
In the Eton College wall game, a point scored by lifting the ball against the wall in the calx.
Shy
(Scottish) In soccer, a throw-in from the sidelines, using two hands above the head. In shinty, the act of tossing the ball above the head and hitting it with the shaft of the caman to bring it back into play after it has been hit out of the field.
Shy
Easily frightened; timid; as, a shy bird.
The horses of the army . . . were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting.
Shy
Reserved; coy; disinclined to familiar approach.
What makes you so shy, my good friend? There's nobody loves you better than I.
The embarrassed look of shy distressAnd maidenly shamefacedness.
Shy
Cautious; wary; suspicious.
I am very shy of using corrosive liquors in the preparation of medicines.
Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of thier successors.
Shy
Inadequately supplied; short; lacking; as, the team is shy two players.
Shy
Owing money to the pot; - in cases where an opponent's bet has exceeded a player's available stake or chips, but the player chooses to continue playing the hand before adding the required bet to the pot.
Shy
To start suddenly aside through fright or suspicion; - said especially of horses.
Shy
To throw sidewise with a jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone; to shy a slipper.
Shy
A sudden start aside, as by a horse.
Shy
A side throw; a throw; a fling.
If Lord Brougham gets a stone in his hand, he must, it seems, have a shy at somebody.
Shy
A quick throw;
He gave the ball a shy to the first baseman
Shy
Start suddenly, as from fight
Shy
Throw quickly
Shy
Lacking self-confidence;
Stood in the doorway diffident and abashed
Problems that call for bold not timid responses
A very unsure young man
Shy
Easily startled or frightened
Shy
Short;
Eleven is one shy of a dozen
Shy
Wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things;
Shy of strangers
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