shy
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1shy
adjective \ˈshī\shi·er or shy·er \ˈshī(-ə)r\ shi·est or shy·est \ˈshī-əst\
Definition of SHY
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>
6
: having less than the full or specified amount or number : short <just shy of six feet tall>
See Examples of SHY
- I was painfully shy as a teenager.
- She was too shy to ask for help.
- He gave her a shy smile.
- Help yourself if you want more. Don't be shy.
Origin of SHY
Middle English schey, from Old English scēoh; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to SHY
- Synonyms
- fainthearted, fearful, fearsome, mousy (or mousey), scary, skittish, timid, timorous, tremulous
- Antonyms
- adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous
Synonym Discussion of SHY
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>.
2shy
intransitive verbshiedshy·ing
Definition of SHY
1
: to develop or show a dislike or distaste —usually used with from or away from <an author who shies away from publicity>
2
: to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm
First Known Use of SHY
1649
3shy
noun plural shies
Definition of SHY
: a sudden start aside (as from fright)
First Known Use of SHY
1791
4shy
verbshiedshy·ing
Definition of SHY
intransitive verb
: to make a sudden throw
transitive verb
: to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling
Origin of SHY
perhaps from 1shy
First Known Use: 1787
5shy
noun plural shies
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