modicum
noun
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
Examples of modicum in a Sentence
Tim Stevens, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2024
Gunn adeptly exercises a necessary modicum of visual dexterity to emphasize character drive.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
Another noteworthy element is that the doctor-patient relationship already has leakage or contains a modicum of in-the-middle factors in the sense that there is at times third-party involvement on the part of the patient.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Nova Wav has experienced this themselves, in an industry where women often have to work twice as hard to achieve a modicum of success as their male peers.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Dec. 2023
Whereas most pop songs utilize at least a modicum of gloss to conceal the thirstiest elements of the human condition, this thing sounded like it was shot full of caffeine and truth serum.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
If the Fed does decide to cut rate hikes, this will lower the cost of borrowing for businesses and consumers, which could inspire sales growth or at least provide a modicum of stability.
—Mario Peshev, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Her shameless, shameful actions and blatant attempt to Etch-A-Sketch away the past is an insult to anyone with even a modicum of intelligence.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Russia also wants to maintain a modicum of civility with Israel, which is host to a sizable Russian-speaking population and might offer Ukraine military support in the future.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modicum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Modicum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modicum. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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modicum
noun
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