Etymology Map
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Modest

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means unassuming about one's abilities

Where does the word "modest" come from? It comes from Latin modestus, passing through French before entering English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
modestus
Latin · ancient
"keeping measure"
from 'modus', measure
2
Stage 2 of 3
modeste
French · 1500s
"modest"
Latin 'modestus' meant keeping due measure, from 'modus', measure, the same root as 'moderate'
3
Stage 3 of 3
modest
English · 1560s
"restrained"
'modest' income dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Modest’s story begins in Latin: modestus meant “keeping measure.” From 'modus', measure. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as modeste. Latin 'modestus' meant keeping due measure, from 'modus', measure, the same root as 'moderate'. It reached English by 1560s as modest. 'modest' income dates from the 1800s. Today, modest means unassuming about one's abilities.