What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unpretentious
Example
She was an unpretentious woman who never boasted about her accomplishments. [unpretentious: adjective]
Example
The restaurant had an unpretentious decor, with simple wooden tables and chairs. [unpretentious: adjective]
modest
Example
He was a modest man who never sought attention or praise. [modest: adjective]
Example
She wore a modest dress that covered her shoulders and knees. [modest: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Modest is more commonly used than unpretentious in everyday language. Modest is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unpretentious is less common and refers to a lack of pretense or affectation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between unpretentious and modest?
Both unpretentious and modest can be used in formal and informal contexts, but unpretentious may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its less common usage.