noun
modicum
MO-dih-kuhm
noun
1
A small amount of something.
"He showed at least a modicum of respect for the rules."
"Even a modicum of effort would have improved the result."
How to Use Modicum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small or token amount of something, often used with abstract qualities like respect, effort, or success.
When to use it
Fairly formal; common in writing more than casual speech.
Common pairings
a modicum of respect
a modicum of success
a modicum of effort
Word Forms
modicums plural, modica plural
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He showed at least a _____ of respect for the rules.
Etymology
From Latin modicum ("a small amount"), related to modus ("measure").