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>.