Demure
Dead💀DeadDefinition
See 'very demure.' A descriptor meaning modest, reserved, and put-together. Went from a rarely-used English word to a viral TikTok trend and back to obscurity in approximately 6 weeks.
Translation for Parents
It's an actual English word meaning 'modest and reserved' that a TikToker made viral for about a month. Your kid used it constantly in August 2024 and has since moved on. The word itself is fine — it's just wearing the ghost of a dead meme.
Examples
“I'm being very demure at this party”
“I'm being very modest and reserved at this party (probably sarcastic)”
“That's demure of you”
“That's modest of you (may or may not be a compliment)”
Cringe Score
Please don't
This word existed for centuries without being cringe. TikTok made it cringe. Now using it makes people think of the meme instead of the word. Language is a battleground.
Category
meme specific
Peak
2024-08
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
tiktok