adjective

demure

dih-MYOOR/dɪˈmjʊr/

Modest and reserved in manner or appearance.

She responds to the greeting with a demure smile and lowered eyes.

At a simple social gathering, a woman responds to a friendly greeting with a small, shy smile, lowered eyes and hands loosely folded in front of her.

Etymology

Demure first described someone calm, sober, or serious, before coming to emphasize reserved or shy behavior. Its proposed connection with Old French meur, “mature” or “discreet,” is not certain.

In context

Storytime Haven409:59

a demure pretty little thing of sixteen or seventeen years, dressed in a prim strait dress and an old fashioned Puritan cap.

✨ The Man by Bram Stoker | A Tale of Love, Courage & Destiny 📖

More examples

The dress has a demure neckline and simple sleeves.
His quiet manner is unusually demure at the formal dinner.
The character's demure appearance hides a bold personality.

Forms

demure · more demure · most demure

Similar words

reserved: Emphasizes restraint without necessarily suggesting modest appearance.
modest: Modest avoids showiness or self-display; demure emphasizes quiet, restrained manner.