How Do You Spell FALSE MODESTY?

Pronunciation: [fˈɒls mˈɒdəsti] (IPA)

False modesty is spelled "fawlz mahd-uh-stee" in IPA phonetic transcription. This term refers to a behavior where someone pretends to be modest or humble but is actually seeking attention or praise. The first word, "false," is pronounced with the "aw" diphthong and the voiceless "s" sound. "Modesty" is pronounced with four syllables, starting with the "mahd" sound and ending with the long "ee" vowel sound. This term is commonly used when describing people who are insincere or disingenuous in their modesty.

FALSE MODESTY Meaning and Definition

1. False modesty is a behavioral trait characterized by an individual's insincere or exaggerated display of humility or self-deprecation. It refers to the act of downplaying one's own abilities, achievements, or qualities, often in an attempt to gain attention, praise, or sympathy from others. Although the term "modesty" typically implies honesty and a genuine lack of arrogance, false modesty involves feigning modesty for ulterior motives.

   Individuals exhibiting false modesty often make self-deprecating remarks, minimizing their capabilities or contributions, even when they are aware of their true worth. This behavior can stem from various underlying motives such as seeking validation, conformity, or an attempt to manipulate others' perception of their skills or achievements. False modesty can also be a defense mechanism used to mask insecurities or to deflect attention away from one's accomplishments, possibly due to fear of jealousy or criticism.

   In social interactions, false modesty may be perceived as disingenuous or insincere. It can obscure an accurate assessment of an individual's abilities and hinder the recognition of their genuine achievements. As a result, false modesty often creates confusion or misrepresentation of one's true capabilities, making it difficult for others to form an accurate opinion about their skills or talents.

   Overall, false modesty involves the deliberate act of downplaying one's own attributes or accomplishments for personal gain or to manipulate social dynamics, reflecting a lack of genuine humility.

Common Misspellings for FALSE MODESTY

• dalse modesty
• calse modesty
• valse modesty
• galse modesty
• talse modesty
• ralse modesty
• fzlse modesty
• fslse modesty
• fwlse modesty
• fqlse modesty
• fakse modesty
• fapse modesty
• faose modesty
• falae modesty
• falze modesty
• falxe modesty
• falde modesty
• falee modesty
• falwe modesty
• falsw modesty

Etymology of FALSE MODESTY

The word "false modesty" is a combination of two terms: "false" and "modesty".

The word "false" originated from the Old English word "fals", which was derived from the Latin word "falsus", meaning "deceitful" or "untrue". Over time, it evolved into "false" in Middle English, retaining its meaning of being not genuine or deceitful.

The term "modesty" has its roots in the Latin word "modestia", which translates to "moderation" or "self-restraint". It gradually transitioned into Old French as "modestie" and then Middle English as "modeste", maintaining its essence of demonstrating humility or not excessively praising oneself.

Idioms with the word FALSE MODESTY

• false modesty False modesty refers to pretending to be humble or self-deprecating in order to gain the approval or praise of others, while actually having a high opinion of oneself. It is a form of insincere modesty or fake humility.

Plural form of FALSE MODESTY is FALSE MODESTIES