modicum

noun

mo·​di·​cum ˈmä-di-kəm 

 also  ˈmō-

: a small portion : a limited quantity

had only a modicum of mathematical skills

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

• beans
• bubkes
• bupkes
• bupkus
• continental
• damn
• darn
• durn
• diddly [slang]
• diddly-squat [slang]
• doodley-squat
• doodly-squat
• fig
• ghost
• hoot
• iota
• jot
• lick
• rap
• squat [slang]
• syllable
• tittle
• whit
• whoop

Examples of modicum in a Sentence

only a modicum of skill is necessary to put the kit together

Recent Examples on the Web

Would merely sleeping in a replica of his bed conjure a modicum of that same evil? —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024

Anyone with a modicum of technical sophistication can create fakes using websites or applications. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

That philosophy at least gives us a modicum of insight into how these thankless, entirely redundant sequels got made. —Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

Achieving even a modicum of unity, or serious efforts to address the nation's biggest problems together, would require a level of trust across party lines that has become one of the capital's most scarce commodities. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, neuter of modicus moderate, from modus measure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

modicum

noun

mo·​di·​cum ˈmäd-i-kəm 

ˈmōd-

: a small amount

anyone with a modicum of intelligence would understand