Demur and demure share roots in the Anglo-Norman demurer, which means to delay, but in modern English they are unrelated. Demur is primarily a verb meaning (1) to object or (2) to hesitate because of doubt. Some dictionaries also list it as a noun meaning the act of demurring, but this sense of demur usually gives way to demurral. Demure means (1) modest and reserved or (2) affectedly shy. It is only an adjective.
Demur is inflected demurred, demurring, and demurs. Demurely is demure‘s corresponding adverb. The words are not quite homophones; demure is properly pronounced de-MYUUR, and demur is pronounced di-MUR.
Examples
They have local addresses, but if you call and ask to visit, they demur. [New York Times]
Every time our chat even hovered near the boundaries of this man’s fame, he demurred and flapped his hands to indicate he didn’t want to talk on those terms. [Independent]
She recorded his weaselly demurral: “We’re not trying to be anti-Semitic. We’re trying to be pro-human rights.” [City Journal]
Canadians are known as a demure lot, none too comfortable with blowing their own horns. [Vancouver Sun]
She held her hands demurely in her lap, a still presence with an air of vulnerability. [Los Angeles Times]
Her demure pose with her arms held across her chest helped preserve her modesty. [Daily Mail]
