Main Entry:

¹shy

Pronunciation:

\ˈshī\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

shi·er or shy·er \ˈshī(-ə)r\ ; shi·est or shy·est \ˈshī-əst\

Etymology:

Middle English schey, from Old English scēoh; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off

Date:

before 12th century

1: easily frightened : timid2: disposed to avoid a person or thing <publicity shy>3: hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect4: sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved ; also : expressive of such a state or nature <a shy smile>5: secluded, hidden6: having less than the full or specified amount or number : short <just shy of six feet tall>7: disreputable <gambling hells and shy saloons — Blackwood's>

— shy·ly adverb

— shy·ness noun

synonyms shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others <shy with strangers>. bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence <a bashful boy out on his first date>. diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking <felt diffident about raising an objection>. modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit <modest about her success>. coy implies a pretended shyness <put off by her coy manner>.