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Modest vs Lowly - What's the difference?

modest | lowly | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between modest and lowly

is that modest is not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble while lowly is not high; not elevated in place; low.

As an adverb lowly is

in a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.

modest

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble.
  • Small, moderate in size.
  • He earns a modest amount of money.
    Her latest novel was a modest success.
  • (especially of behaviour or clothing) Avoiding being sexually suggestive.
  • Synonyms

    * See also * See also * See also

    Antonyms

    * immodest

    Derived terms

    * modest proposal * modesty

    lowly

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Not high; not elevated in place; low.
  • * Dryden
  • lowly lands
  • Low in rank or social importance.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • One common right the great and lowly claims.
  • Not lofty or sublime; humble.
  • * Dryden
  • these rural poems, and their lowly strain
  • Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.
  • * Bible, Matthew xi. 29
  • Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.
  • *, Bk.XXI, Ch.x:
  • *:And there was none of these other knyghtes but they redde in bookes and holpe for to synge Masse, and range bellys, and dyd lowly al maner of servyce.
  • In a low condition; meanly.