demure

[ dih-myoor ]
/ dɪˈmyʊər /

adjective, de·mur·er, de·mur·est.

characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.
affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.

Origin of demure

1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) well-mannered, grave < Anglo-French demuré, past participle of demurer to demur; perhaps influenced by Old French mur, mëur grave, mature (< Latin matūrus)

OTHER WORDS FROM demure

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH demure

demur demure

Example sentences from the Web for demureness

British Dictionary definitions for demureness

demure
/ (dɪˈmjʊə) /

adjective

sedate; decorous; reserved
affectedly modest or prim; coy

Derived forms of demure

demurely, adverb demureness, noun

Word Origin for demure

C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature