Vocabulary in context
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Modicum
A small or modest amount; a tiny quantity of something.
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Imagine This
Imagine a chef sprinkling just a modicum of salt into a stew—a tiny pinch that makes the whole dish taste perfectly balanced.
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Sounds Like
MOD-ih-kum
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Looks Like
Looks like a word meaning a small amount; visually related to 'modest' and 'moderate'.
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Remember This
Common collocation is 'a modicum of [noun]'; the word signals restraint in amount and is often used in formal writing.
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Other Forms
modicadjective
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Connect With
trace, iota, sliver, speck, paucity, scantiness
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Note
Used in formal or literary contexts. Not typically interchangeable with casual terms like 'bit' or 'trace' when a precise, slightly elevated sense of small amount is intended.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She showed a modicum of patience as the meeting ran over time.
- The evidence offers only a modicum of support for the theory.
Synonyms
traceiotasliverspeckscant amount
Antonyms
abundanceplentysurplus
Etymology
From Latin modicus 'moderate, small', from modus 'measure'.
Mnemonic
MOD-IC-UM: a MODest AMOUNT — remember that modicum means a small amount.
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Aversion
nounA strong dislike or disinclination toward something.
Lofty
adjectiveHaving great height or being elevated in status or quality; can describe something physically tall as well as lofty ideas or attitudes.
Compliant
adjectiveWilling to comply with rules, requests, or authority; ready to yield to others' wishes and conform to standards.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Paucity
nounA smallness in number or amount; scarcity.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
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