Unpretentious: meaning, definitions and examples

😌
Add to dictionary

unpretentious

 

[ ˌənprɪˈtenʃəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

description

Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed.

Synonyms

humble, modest, simple, unassuming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unpretentious

Used to describe a person or thing that is straightforward and not trying to impress others. Ideal for conveying simplicity and authenticity.

  • The café had an unpretentious charm, with simple wooden tables and homemade pastries.
  • He lives in an unpretentious apartment, despite his wealth.
modest

Used to describe someone who downplays their successes and does not seek attention. Can also refer to something that is moderate in size or amount.

  • He's modest about his accomplishments and rarely talks about his awards.
  • They live in a modest house in the suburbs.
unassuming

Used to describe a person who is not pretentious or showy, and does not seek to draw attention to themselves.

  • He is an unassuming man who blends into the crowd.
  • Her unassuming nature makes her well-liked by everyone.
simple

Used to describe something that is uncomplicated or not elaborate. Can sometimes have a negative connotation if it implies lack of sophistication.

  • She prefers a simple lifestyle, without too many modern gadgets.
  • The recipe is quite simple, just mix all the ingredients together.
humble

Used to describe someone who does not boast about their achievements or abilities. Often implies a sense of humility and simplicity.

  • Despite his fame, the actor remains humble and approachable.
  • She gave a humble speech, thanking her family and team.

Examples of usage

  • He was an unpretentious man, always dressed in simple clothes.
  • She admired his unpretentious attitude towards life.
  • The restaurant had an unpretentious decor, focusing on good food rather than fancy decorations.

Translations

Translations of the word "unpretentious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 despretensioso

🇮🇳 साधारण

🇩🇪 anspruchslos

🇮🇩 sederhana

🇺🇦 невибагливий

🇵🇱 skromny

🇯🇵 控えめな

🇫🇷 modeste

🇪🇸 modesto

🇹🇷 gösterişsiz

🇰🇷 수수한

🇸🇦 متواضع

🇨🇿 nenáročný

🇸🇰 nenáročný

🇨🇳 不矫揉造作的

🇸🇮 nepretenciozen

🇮🇸 óformlegur

🇰🇿 қарапайым

🇬🇪 უკომპლექსო

🇦🇿 təvazökar

🇲🇽 modesto

Etymology

The word 'unpretentious' originated from the Latin word 'praetendere', which means 'to stretch forth, claim, pretend'. Over time, the negative prefix 'un-' was added to create the term 'unpretentious', shifting the meaning to not claiming or pretending. The concept of being unpretentious has been valued in various cultures throughout history, often associated with sincerity, humility, and authenticity.

See also: pretentiously, pretentiousness, unpretentiously, unpretentiousness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,636, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.