1 : not very large in size or amount
Despite its modest [=somewhat small] size, the city has many things to offer tourists.
They own a modest home near the beach.
She enjoyed modest success with her singing career.
2 approving : not too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities : not showing or feeling great or excessive pride
She's very modest about her achievements.
Don't be so modest. Your performance was wonderful!
“I'm not a hero. I was just doing my job,” he said in his characteristically modest way.
He is unusually modest for a man who is so famous and successful.
3 a of clothing : not showing too much of a person's body
She preferred wearing more modest swimsuits.
In some countries, women must wear very modest clothing in public.
b : shy about showing your body especially in a sexual way : preferring to wear modest clothing
a modest young woman
— modestly adverb
Our business has been modestly successful.
She modestly refused to accept credit for the team's success.
a modestly priced car
a modestly dressed young woman