demure
/dɪˈmjʊər/
CommonQuiet, modest, and restrained in a way that is presented as a positive trait.
Usually used sincerely as self-promotion. Sometimes ironic when someone is clearly not being restrained. Tied closely to the 'very demure, very mindful' phrase.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | just got ready for my interview. very demure, very mindful. | The person is presenting themselves as neat and professional without overdoing it. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 02 | not me showing up to a casual lunch in a ball gown. so not demure. | The person overdressed and is calling themselves out for it. | instagram, 2024 |
| 03 | my whole vibe this fall is just demure. no explaining myself to anyone. | Committing to a reserved, low-key personal presentation. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | she walked in, sat down, ordered water. very demure of her. | Praising someone's calm, unshowy behavior at an event. | tiktok, 2024 |
Use it when
- Describing a calm, understated, and polished way of carrying yourself.
- Praising someone who is not overdoing it or oversharing.
- Self-describing your approach to work, socializing, or appearance.
- Ironically describing someone who is very much not being restrained.
Do not use it when
- You mean shy or timid in a negative sense.
- You mean someone is being boring or disengaged.
Variations and related forms
Demure vs brat
demure
Demure is quiet, restrained, and polished. The goal is to not stand out.
VS
brat
Brat is loud, confident, and unapologetic. The goal is to own the room.
Origin and context
An existing English word repopularized in 2024 by creator Jools Lebron on TikTok, whose viral video framing workplace and life advice as 'very demure, very mindful' sparked a widespread trend.
- First seen
- 2024
- Confidence
- high
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/demureUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0