self-deprecatory

adjective

self-dep·​re·​ca·​to·​ry ˌself-ˈde-pri-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce self-deprecatory (audio)
-ˈde-prə-ˌkā-tə-rē
: expressing disparagement or undervaluation of oneself : self-deprecating
… an intense yet sensitive athlete with a nice touch of self-deprecatory humor.Sandy Treadwell
But then, in a funny, charming, self-deprecatory way he'd start telling rambling, digressive, but observant and intelligent stories that would bare his soul and crack you up …Ron Rosenbaum

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-deprecatory was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near self-deprecatory

Cite this Entry

“Self-deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-deprecatory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on self-deprecatory

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!