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shy

One entry found.

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 : timid
2 : disposed to avoid a person or thing <publicity shy>
3 : hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect
4 : sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved; also : expressive of such a state or nature <a shy smile>
5 : secluded, hidden
6 : 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>.



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