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Self-effacing for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: ,sɛlfɪ'feɪsiŋ

What does Self-effacing really mean?

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Self-effacing is a word that describes someone who is modest or humble, preferring not to draw attention to themselves. Picture a person who doesn't like to take credit for their accomplishments, or someone who downplays their own abilities and skills. They have a tendency to put others before themselves and avoid seeking the spotlight. It's like when you do something amazing, but you feel shy or even a little embarrassed when people start praising you for it.

Imagine you're in a classroom, and the teacher gives a challenging math problem to the class. You solve it quickly and correctly, but instead of jumping up and shouting, "Look at me! I'm a math genius!", you decide to keep it to yourself. You don't want to show off or make the other students feel bad if they haven't solved it yet. You might even keep your achievement totally secret and let someone else answer the question, just to make sure they get a chance to shine too. That's being self-effacing.

Being self-effacing doesn't mean you're lacking confidence or that you think less of yourself. It simply means that you choose to be humble and not brag about your abilities. It's a very admirable quality, as it shows respect for others and creates a positive and supportive environment. People who are self-effacing often make great team players, because they're more focused on the success of the group rather than seeking personal glory.

Another way to think about self-effacing is to imagine a vase with beautiful flowers. The vase holds the flowers and displays them, but it doesn't draw attention to itself. The focus is on the flowers and their beauty, not on the vase. In the same way, a self-effacing person lets others shine and be appreciated without trying to steal the spotlight.

Remember, being self-effacing is a choice and a characteristic that some people naturally have. It's not something you have to be all the time, and it's okay to feel proud and celebrate your accomplishments. But being aware of others and practicing humility can help build strong relationships and create a positive and supportive community. So, the next time you achieve something awesome, think about being self-effacing and let others shine too!


Revised and Fact checked by Sophia Moore on 2023-10-30 02:28:44

Self-effacing In a sentece

Learn how to use Self-effacing inside a sentece

  • A self-effacing person is someone who doesn't like to draw attention to themselves. For instance, imagine a class where your friend gets the highest grade on a test, but instead of bragging about it, they quietly celebrate their success and give credit to their classmates too.
  • Let's say you have a teacher who is self-effacing. They might have a difficult time accepting compliments or praise for their teaching skills, and instead, they always redirect the attention to their students' achievements.
  • In a group project, a self-effacing team member might not take credit for their hard work and contributions. They prefer to let others shine and are happy with the overall success of the team.
  • Imagine you have a classmate who is really talented at playing the piano, but they never boast about their skills. They simply enjoy playing for themselves and their loved ones without seeking attention or praise. They have a self-effacing attitude.
  • Sometimes, a self-effacing person might make a mistake or accomplish something great but downplay their own role in it. For example, if they win a game, they might say, 'Oh, it was just luck,' even if their skills and efforts were the main reason for their victory.

Self-effacing Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Self-effacing Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.