# demure

> English word · Adjective · IPA /dɪˈmjʊə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #49,286

## Definitions
1. Modest, quiet, reserved, or serious.
2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English demure, demwre, an abbreviation of Anglo-Norman de mure port (“with a mature demeanor”) (compare Old French meur from Latin mātūrus):
*si il seyt coy e de mure port (Amur curteiz) (“he sits quietly and with a mature appearance”)
* Documents illustrating the history of Scotland, CLV, 1306, Orders for the custody of Scottish prisoners, CLV: …et que eles soient de bon et meur port (“…with a good and mature demeanor”)
* mss. Arundel, 220: ke cely qe vus amerez soyt de gentil manere, coy, de meure porture (“with a mature demeanor”)
* (Monastic rule): de aunciene dame de meure porture ke pusse les plus ieuenes rieueler e endoctriner (“an old lady with a mature demeanor able to rule and educate the young girls”).

## Easily confused with
- **deuce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/demure-vs-deuce)
- **desire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/demure-vs-desire)
- **deluxe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deluxe-vs-demure)
- **demise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/demise-vs-demure)
- **deluge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deluge-vs-demure)
- **deduce** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deduce-vs-demure)
- **defuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defuse-vs-demure)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ddemure`, `demmure`, `demrue`, `demuer`, `demurre`, `deumre`, `dmeure`, `edmure`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/demure