What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Demure vs Demeanor - What's the difference?

demure | demeanor |

As an adjective demure

is quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.

As a verb demure

is to look demurely.

As a noun demeanor is

the social, non-verbal behaviours (such as body language and facial expressions) that are characteristic of a person.

demure

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Quiet, modest, reserved, sober, or serious.
    • She is a demure young lady.
  • * W. Black
    • Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes.
  • * '>citation
  • Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.
  • * L'Estrange
    • A cat lay, and looked so demure , as if there had been neither life nor soul in her.
  • * Miss Mitford
    • Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.

    Derived terms

    * demureness

    Verb

    (demur)
  • (obsolete) To look demurely.
    • Your wife Octavia, with her modest eyes... shall acquire no Honour Demuring upon me.'' – Shakespeare (1623) ''Antony & Cleopatra Act 4, Sc 16, Ln 30

    demeanor

    English

    Alternative forms

    * demeanour (British spelling)

    Noun

  • The social, non-verbal behaviours (such as body language and facial expressions) that are characteristic of a person.
    • The man's demeanor made others suspicious of his intentions.
    A confident demeanor is crucial for persuading others.
  • * {{quote-book, a. 1587, , Historie of England, section=Book III citation
    • , passage=At this present (saith he) certeine princes of Britaine, procuring by ambassadors and dutifull demeanors the amitie of the emperour Augustus, haue offered in the capitoll vnto the gods presents or gifts, and haue ordeined the whole Ile in a manner to be appertinent, proper, and familiar to the Romans.}}
  • * {{quote-book, 1993, editor=John J. Fay, chapter=Interrogation: The Kinesics Technique, , Encyclopedia of Security Management, isbn=0750696605 citation
    • , passage=Demeanors' that are apologetic and overly polite are inherently contradictory to ' demeanors that exhibit fear and anger.}}

    Synonyms

    * behavior * comportment

    Related terms

    * demean * misdemeanor

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * *