timid

adjective

tim·​id ˈti-məd 

1

: lacking in courage or self-confidence

a timid person

2

: lacking in boldness or determination

a timid policy

timidity

tə-ˈmi-də-tē 

noun

timidly

ˈti-məd-lē 

adverb

timidness noun

Synonyms of timid

• shy
• fearful
• timorous
• scary
• scared
• mousy
• afraid
• terrified

Examples of timid in a Sentence

She's very timid and shy when meeting strangers.

He gave her a timid smile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Football is a physical sport, one where an athlete can’t play scared, timid, being cautious, and needs to give his all on every snap. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Min-ji now understands more about her father’s past and motivations, and no longer sees him as a timid man who would rather bow than fight. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026

This is also why Nolan is so timid in addressing Odysseus’s unfaithfulness to Penelope during his seven years on Calypso’s (Charlize Theron) island. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Suki, a vocal Black woman with an at times vulgar persona, whereas Althoff, a white woman, gained a reputation as an awkward, seemingly timid interviewer on her The Really Good Podcast. — Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin timidus, from timēre to fear

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

timid

adjective

tim·​id ˈtim-əd 

: feeling or showing a lack of courage or self-confidence : shy

timidity

tə-ˈmid-ət-ē 

noun

timidly

ˈtim-əd-lē 

adverb

timidness noun