What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
missish
Example
She was acting so missish, fussing over every little detail of her outfit. [missish: adjective]
Example
The missish way she spoke made it hard for others to take her seriously. [missish: adverb]
demure
Example
She looked demure in her simple dress and minimal makeup. [demure: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a demure tone, barely above a whisper. [demure: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Demure is more commonly used than missish in everyday language. Demure is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while missish is less common and may be considered outdated or old-fashioned.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between missish and demure?
Both missish and demure are associated with a formal or literary tone, but demure is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while missish is less commonly used and may sound archaic or affected in modern language.