demureness
/di'mjuənis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A young woman displays demureness by lowering her gaze and folding her hands.
Definition
Noun: 1. The trait of behaving with reserve and decorum: The quality of being modest, reserved, and shy in a polite and proper way. 2. The affectation of being demure in a provocative way: A manner of behaving that is outwardly modest or shy but is often intended to be alluring or is not sincere.
Usage
Demureness describes a person's manner or behavior. It can be a genuine, positive character trait of quiet modesty. However, it can also describe a false or exaggerated display of modesty, often with a hint of coyness or playful pretense.
Examples
- Her natural demureness made her hesitant to speak in large groups.
- The actress captured the character's demureness perfectly, with downcast eyes and a soft voice.
- There was a hint of playful demureness in her smile that suggested she wasn't as shy as she appeared.
Advanced Usage
- "An air of demureness": A noticeable manner or impression of being demure.
- She maintained an air of demureness throughout the interview, carefully considering each question before answering.
Variants and Related Words
- Demure (adj): Modest, reserved, and shy. "She gave a demure nod of agreement."
- Demurely (adv): In a demure manner. "She smiled demurely from behind her fan."
Synonyms
- Modesty
- Reserve
- Shyness
- Coyness (especially for the affected sense)
- Reticence
Antonyms
- Boldness
- Immodesty
- Forwardness
- Brashness
A young woman displays demureness by lowering her gaze and folding her hands.
Noun
- the affectation of being demure in a provocative way
- the trait of behaving with reserve and decorum