Demure describes someone who seems modestNot showing off; having a quiet, unpretentious manner., shy, or reservedQuiet and not openly expressive or talkative., sometimes in a way that feels a little playful or intentionallyDone on purpose, not by accident. attractive.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /dih-MYOOR/

Easy pronunciation: dih-MYOOR (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the second syllable: mure.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Demure Meaning

appearing shy, modest, or reserved in a way that may be intentionally charming

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: affectedly modest or shy, especially in a playful or provocative way

Example: She gave him a demure smile and looked away.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• coy — A close match when the shy or playful quality is the main idea.
• overmodest — Matches the idea of seeming more modest than usual, though it is less common in everyday English.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Demure Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• coy

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• People sometimes use demure to mean simply quiet or serious, but it usually suggests a deliberate or somewhat playful modesty.
• It does not mean rude, bold, or outspoken.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does demure mean?

Demure means shy, modest, or reserved, often in a way that seems intentionally charming or slightly playful.

What are good synonyms for demure?

Coy is the strongest everyday synonym. Overmodest can work in some contexts, but it is less natural in normal speech.

Is demure a positive word?

Usually yes, or at least neutral. It can sound admiring, but it may also suggest that the modesty is a little put on or overly controlled.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.