unpretending

6.8

Simple and modest in style or behaviour

adjective
/ˌʌnprɪˈtɛndɪŋ/

: sencillo

The restaurant had an unpretending atmosphere that put all the guests at ease.

Examples

Her unpretending style made her the most relatable speaker at the conference.
Despite his unpretending appearance, he was an incredibly talented artist.
They have exploded a bomb in plain, unpretending language.

Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

quiet

vsunpretending

189 1.0

Not attracting attention and simple in style

is about modest plainness rather than merely avoiding notice

modest

vsunpretending

81 2.7

Not thinking you are better than others and not boasting

relates more to plain and simple appearance than personal humility

understated

vsunpretending

27 6.5

Simple and quiet in a way that looks elegant

is plainer and more simply modest rather than elegantly restrained

low-key

vsunpretending

Informal

23 5.0

Calm and simple in style without showy details

is concerned with modest simplicity rather than overall calmness

unassuming

vsunpretending

20 5.8

A person or thing that is not proud and not showy

is more about plain appearance and lack of showiness

unpretentious

vsunpretending

9 5.1

Simple and honest in style and not trying to impress people

focuses more on modest plainness than on personal genuineness

unobtrusive

vsunpretending

8 6.7

Not attracting attention or standing out to others

focuses on modest simplicity rather than only on avoiding attention

self-effacing

vsunpretending

7 7.4

Not wanting attention and being modest

emphasizes plainness and lack of ornament rather than self-restraint

unadorned

vsunpretending

6 5.1

Plain in appearance with no decoration

is about modest, nonshowy character rather than just lack of decoration

unostentatious

vsunpretending

1 7.8

Simple and modest in style and not trying to attract attention

highlights general modesty and plainness rather than just avoiding flash

unflashy

vsunpretending

1 4.4

Simple in style and not trying to attract attention

adds the idea of conscious modesty and lack of showiness

unprecious

vsunpretending

1 6.1

Plain and not valuable, fancy, or important

focuses on modest simplicity rather than implying low value

unshowy

vsunpretending

4.5

Looks modest and simple and does not attract attention

stresses modest simplicity rather than merely avoiding attention

uninflated

vsunpretending

4.4

Simple in style and not exaggerated

leans more toward plain, simple appearance than against exaggeration

unpompous

vsunpretending

7.1

Not trying to seem important or very formal

focuses more on simple, nonshowy appearance than on formality

unfancy

vsunpretending

3.4

Plain and simple, not expensive or decorated

places more weight on modest simplicity rather than cost or luxury

unfancied

vsunpretending

5.5

Has a plain, simple style and is not expensive

is chiefly about modest plainness rather than mere lack of ornament

Antonyms

pretentious

Offensive

74 7.3

Trying to seem more important or clever than you really are

ostentatious

11 7.7

To show off very expensive things to attract attention

How Pretentious

ostentatious

11 7.7

affected

7.5

unpretending

6.8

Surface Forms

unpretending positive

Morphology

unpretending = pretending (transparent) = un + pretend + ing

Formed by the negation prefix 'un-' added to 'pretending' (feigning); learners who know 'pretend/pretending' can infer 'unpretending' as 'not pretending, modest'.

Etymology

Unpretending comes from un- ('not') and pretend ('to act or show off'), so it means 'not putting on a show' and describes someone or something modest and simple.