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

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

But where the Baron is timid and bumbling, Krasznahorkai is expansive, charming, and courtly. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

Playing Mary Bennet — Elizabeth’s younger and more timid sister — Bruccoleri set out to portray the coming of age story of a Regency woman. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 June 2026

Don’t be timid; get the crust good and wet before proceeding. — Devra Ferst, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 June 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