modest

/ˈmä-dəst/

Latin modestus moderate; akin to Latin modus measure

adjective

  1. placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth

  2. neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence

  3. arising from or characteristic of a modest nature

shy bashful diffident modest coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

biographical name

  1. Modest Petrovich 1839—1881 Russian composer