WordValeunassuming
modest and not seeking attention
In more detail
1. (adjective) not trying to attract attention or impress others; modest and quiet
2. (adjective) simple and ordinary in appearance; not expensive or fancy
Examples
- 1. Despite his success, he remained an unassuming person who preferred working behind the scenes.
- 2. The restaurant had an unassuming exterior but served excellent food.
How to use unassuming
Unassuming describes people or things that make no effort to draw attention or seem more important than they are. It is generally positive, suggesting quiet confidence or appealing simplicity rather than lack of quality. It differs from modest in sometimes emphasizing outward appearance or setting, not just personality.
Common phrases
- unassuming manner
- unassuming appearance
- unassuming little restaurant
- unassuming exterior
- unassuming charm
Synonyms
modest · humble · unpretentious · unobtrusive · low-key
Opposites
showy · ostentatious · pretentious
Word family
unassuming (adjective) · unassumingly (adverb) · unassumingness (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use unassuming to mean 'not assuming' (not making assumptions), but the word specifically means modest and understated.
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