self-effacing
Definition
Adjective: 1. Not drawing attention to oneself; modest and unassuming: Describes a person who avoids making themselves the center of attention, often due to humility or shyness.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: Used to describe a person's character or behavior.
- She is a brilliant but self-effacing scientist who rarely gives interviews.
- His self-effacing manner made him very popular among his colleagues.
- In her self-effacing speech, she credited the entire team for the success.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Implied Virtue: The term often carries a positive connotation, suggesting admirable humility rather than a lack of confidence.
- Despite his wealth, he is known for his self-effacing generosity.
- Contrast with Boastfulness: Frequently used to highlight a contrast with arrogant or showy behavior.
- The CEO's self-effacing leadership style was a refreshing change.
Variants and Related Words
- Self-effacement (noun): The quality or act of being self-effacing.
- Her self-effacement sometimes makes people underestimate her abilities.
Synonyms
- Modest
- Unassuming
- Retiring
- Humble
- Diffident (can imply shyness or lack of confidence more strongly)
Antonyms
- Boastful
- Arrogant
- Egotistical
- Showy
- Ostentatious
Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases
- To efface oneself: A more formal phrase meaning to make oneself inconspicuous.
- He preferred to efface himself at large gatherings.
- Self-effacing humor: Humor that makes fun of oneself.
- He won over the audience with his self-effacing humor.
Adjective
-
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
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