WordValeself-effacing
not seeking attention for oneself
In more detail
1. (adjective) not trying to draw attention to yourself or make yourself noticed; humble and modest
2. (adjective) tending to hide or downplay your own abilities or achievements
Examples
- 1. She has a self-effacing manner and never brags about her accomplishments.
- 2. He gave a self-effacing speech, crediting his success entirely to his team's hard work.
How to use self-effacing
Self-effacing describes a person who deliberately or habitually downplays their own importance, abilities, or presence. It suggests a conscious avoidance of seeking recognition or attention and carries a generally positive connotation of modesty. It differs from humble in that it emphasizes the active downplaying or withdrawal of oneself rather than simply lacking arrogance.
Common phrases
- self-effacing manner
- self-effacing humor
- self-effacing style
- remarkably self-effacing
- self-effacing personality
Synonyms
humble · modest · unassuming · unpretentious · retiring
Opposites
boastful · ostentatious · self-aggrandizing
Word family
self-effacement (noun) · self-effacingly (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse it with self-defacing, which is not a real word; the correct term uses 'effacing' (meaning to erase or make inconspicuous), not 'defacing' (meaning to damage or spoil).
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