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Meanings of demure in English

Affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way.

Related terms
Synonyms
Examples for "coy"
Examples for "coy"
1
Today he was coy on whether he would stand for Parliament again.
Radio NZ
2
Msholozi and his representatives remain incredibly coy about what's draining his health.
The South African
3
They remain coy as of Thursday morning, with no updates provided since.
The South African
4
Publishers often seem to become coy when presenting readers with short fiction.
The Guardian
5
Pressed on whether he has already made that decision, Wenger was coy.
The Guardian
1
Like many others 'clothed with a little brief authority' he was not overmodest in showing his importance.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862
Usage of demure in English
1
The clear gray eyes-quite demure-glancedin toward the shadows of the trees.
Sunrise
2
The previous Peugeot 2008 was demure almost to the point of invisibility.
The Irish Times
3
That in itself completely changed the appearance of the usually demure Josie.
Mary Louise and Josie O'Gorman
4
Ned was standing in the barn-yard, the very picture of demure innocence.
Wreaths of Friendship: A Gift for the Young
5
Looking very demure, the men made some rejoinder; and he went on.
Omoo: Adventures in the South Seas
6
Nevertheless, she was very demure and very much the lady in appearance.
Nan Sherwood's Winter Holidays; Or, Rescuing the Runaways
7
The gorgeous being entered, and found three demure ladies rapt in newspapers.
Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag, Volume 2 / Shawl-Straps
8
Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure and dignified.
International Weekly Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science -...
9
Jacenko changed into a more demure outfit for her husband's court appearance.
News.com.au
10
Gone were all the demure resolutions, the memory of faith or unfaith.
The Yoke / A Romance of the Days when the Lord Redeemed the Chil...
11
Maurice, however, found consolation in the demure French maid who served them.
The Puppet Crown
12
They all slapped their sides at her demure reply and laughed maniacally.
Labyrinth
13
He descended from his desk and went in, swelling with demure complacency.
Hard Cash
14
Hildegard submitted with demure listlessness, and soon re-appeared in her walking costume.
Ilka on the Hill-Top and Other Stories
15
A candle and bouquet of wildflowers finish off the demure table setting.
BBC
16
As grand corporate gestures go, it does its best to be demure.
The Guardian
About this term
More collocations
Demure through the time
Demure across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Common