bieder

upright but dull, conventional

adjective BEE-der Rare

Also means

square, stodgily honest

Usage Note

Bieder originally praised plain, solid honesty but today implies a narrow, unimaginative conventionality — someone morally respectable yet boringly conformist. The cultural epoch Biedermeier takes its name from this quality.

Examples

"Sein biederes Auftreten versteckte einen überraschend scharfen Verstand."

Natural Translation

His conventional manner concealed a surprisingly sharp mind.

Literal Translation

His stodgy appearance hid a surprisingly sharp intellect.

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