Modicum is a noun that means a small amount of something. It is often used in formalsuitable for serious, official, or polite situations rather than casual ones or slightlyto a small degree; not very much literarytypical of writing style, especially elegant or artistic language English, especially when you want to suggest that only a little of something is needed or present.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈmɑdɪkəm/
Easy pronunciation: MOD-i-kum (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Used as a noun meaning a small amount.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Modicum Meaning
a small amount
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a small or moderate or token amount
Example: She showed a modicum of patience during the long delay.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- amount — Too general to be a perfect substitute, but it can work in context when the meaning is simply a quantity.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Modicum Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- small amount
- slight amount
- little bit
- trace
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using modicum to mean a large amount or something impressive.
- Treating modicum as if it were an adjective. It is a noun.
- Using it in very casual speech when a simpler word like "bit" or "amount" would sound more natural.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does modicum mean?
Modicum means a small amount of something, usually in a fairly formal or careful style.
What is a synonym for modicum?
Good near-synonyms include "small amount," "slight amount," and sometimes "trace," depending on the context.
How do you use modicum in a sentence?
You can say, for example, "He handled the criticism with a modicum of grace."
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
