Learn English – A good word for the opposite of pretentious

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Q: What is a good opposite of pretentious?


The dictionary definition is:

"Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed."

To which I can think of:

Humility: "The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance."

Honest/Sincere/Genuine/Truthful: "Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.", "Free from pretence or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.", "Truly what something is said to be; authentic.", "of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine.", "Telling or expressing the truth; honest."

Unassuming: "Not pretentious or arrogant; modest."

Perhaps instead a short phrase like, "Humble and Honest".


However for the commonly understood or vernacular definition, which seems to have a significantly different meaning, perhaps a good opposite would be:

Artless: Without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple.

Although it's unfortunate that "artless" is defined as being "natural".


An example: "I couldn't follow the film, I found it pretentious.", the opposite could be "The film lacked nuance and was refreshingly …"

Best Answer

Will unpretentious work?

Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed: a friendly and unpretentious hotel

in spite of his fame he was thoroughly unpretentious

1.1(Of a place) pleasantly simple and functional; modest.

(Oxford Dictionaries Online)