modicum

noun

mo·​di·​cum ˈmä-di-kəm 

 also  ˈmō-

: a small portion : a limited quantity

had only a modicum of mathematical skills

Did you know?

The Origins of Modicum Can Be Found in the Bathroom

What does modicum have to do with a toilet? It just so happens that modicum shares the same Latin parent as commode, which is a synonym of toilet. Modicum and commode ultimately derive from the Latin noun modus, which means "measure." (We borrowed the noun commode from the French, who also used the word as an adjective meaning "suitable, convenient.") Modicum, which, logically enough, refers to a small "measure" of something, has been a part of the English language since the 15th century. It descends from the Latin modicus ("moderate"), which is itself a descendant of modus. Modus really measures up as a Latin root—it also gave us mode (originally a kind of musical "measure"), modal, model, modern, modify, and modulate. More distant relatives include mete, moderate, and modest.

Synonyms

• beans
• bubkes
• bupkes
• bupkus
• continental
• damn
• darn
• durn
• diddly [slang]
• diddly-squat [slang]
• doodley-squat
• doodly-squat
• fig
• ghost
• hoot
• iota
• jot
• lick
• rap
• squat [slang]
• syllable
• tittle
• whit
• whoop

Examples of modicum in a Sentence

only a modicum of skill is necessary to put the kit together

Recent Examples on the Web

Roberts made no serious effort to entice the three liberal justices for even a modicum of the cross-ideological agreement that distinguished such presidential-powers cases in the past. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 30 July 2024

What this signifies is that with strong support from their governments, at least some companies are willing to ensure a modicum of economic engagement with Iran even if the Trump administration reneges on the nuclear deal. —Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2018

Normal mode gives the driver a modicum more pep with the tradeoff of having to move your foot to the brake pedal to slow down, aping the feel of an internal combustion engine. —Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 16 Aug. 2024

For students and parents, the first day of school Monday at Los Angeles Unified was a crush of new schedules, new teachers and new things to learn, along with a modicum of excitement — and those familiar butterflies. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, neuter of modicus moderate, from modus measure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

modicum

noun

mo·​di·​cum ˈmäd-i-kəm 

ˈmōd-

: a small amount

anyone with a modicum of intelligence would understand