bescheiden

modest

adjective be-SHY-den Less Common

Origin: from Middle High German bescheiden (knowing one's measure)

Also means

humble

Usage Note

bescheiden praises modesty in people and means 'modest' of amounts: ein bescheidenes Einkommen. Colloquially it can ironically mean 'lousy': Das Wetter ist ziemlich bescheiden. The opposite of the virtue is anmaßend (presumptuous).

Examples

"Trotz seines Erfolgs blieb er bescheiden."

Natural Translation

Despite his success he remained modest.

Literal Translation

Despite his success stayed he modest.

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