Unassuming

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Modest and not drawing attention to oneself; having a quiet and unpretentious manner
2. Humble in nature and presenting oneself without ostentation
3. lacking in arrogance and instead demonstrating a reserved demeanor

Etymology: "Unassuming" is a plain construction: the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "assuming." The "un-" traces back through Proto-Germanic and Old English, where it was a common negating prefix, all the way to a Proto-Indo-European root for "not." It has been part of English since Old English, so the prefix itself is ancient even though the combined word is much later. The more useful piece is "assuming," which in English sense means "presuming" or "taking on oneself," as in forwardly claiming more than one's place. Someone who is unassuming does not put themselves forward or claim importance. The adjective therefore describes a lack of presumption: modest, quiet, and willing to stay in the background.

Synonyms: modest, humble, unpretentious, down-to-earth, self-effacing

Antonyms: arrogant, pretentious, conceited, ostentatious, showy