1
: lacking in courage or self-confidence
a timid person
2
: lacking in boldness or determination
a timid policy
ti·mid·i·ty
tə̇ˈmidətē 
-idətē,
-i
plural -es
: the quality or state of being timid
the animals have become so accustomed to motor traffic that they have quite lost their natural timidity—
James Stevenson-Hamilton
James Stevenson-Hamiltonthe timidity and conformity of the present day—C. V. Woodward
C. V. WoodwardSynonyms of timid
Examples of timid in a Sentence
Adjective
She's very timid and shy when meeting strangers.
He gave her a timid smile.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
In her early public appearances, she was often seen with her head bowed and her gaze upward, a posture that, alongside her soft-spoken demeanor, led the British press to characterize her as timid and reserved.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 13 June 2026
David Fine as Scorpius does an enormous amount of heavy lifting by injecting urgency and pathos, despite his character’s timid personality.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Chances of Musk becoming the world’s first trillionaire were timid when the markets first opened on Kalshi.
—Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
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Adjective
And despite a timid political opening that has allowed the return of several opposition leaders and the emergence of others from hiding, over 400 political prisoners remain in custody as of May 25, according to figures compiled by the NGO Foro Penal.
—Alfredo Meza, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
In her early public appearances, she was often seen with her head bowed and her gaze upward, a posture that, alongside her soft-spoken demeanor, led the British press to characterize her as timid and reserved.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 13 June 2026
David Fine as Scorpius does an enormous amount of heavy lifting by injecting urgency and pathos, despite his character’s timid personality.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Chances of Musk becoming the world’s first trillionaire were timid when the markets first opened on Kalshi.
—Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timid. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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