timid

tim·id

adj \ˈti-məd\

Definition of TIMID

1

: lacking in courage or self-confidence <a timid person>

2

: lacking in boldness or determination <a timid policy>

— ti·mid·i·ty \tə-ˈmi-də-tē\ noun

— tim·id·ly \ˈti-məd-lē\ adverb

— tim·id·ness noun

Examples of TIMID

1. She's very timid and shy when meeting strangers.
2. He gave her a timid smile.

Origin of TIMID

Latin timidus, from timēre to fear

First Known Use: 1549

Related to TIMID

Synonyms: fainthearted, fearful, fearsome, mousy (or mousey), scary, skittish, shy, timorous, tremulous

Antonyms: adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous

Related Words: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], poltroon, pusillanimous, spineless, unheroic, yellow; jittery, jumpy, spooky; anxious, apprehensive, nervous; afraid, alarmed, horrified, panicked, panicky, panic-stricken, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized, unnerved

Near Antonyms: brave, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undaunted, valiant, valorous; assured, confident, self-assured, self-confident; determined, firm, game, plucky, resolute, undeterred, unflinching, unswerving; mettlesome, spirited, spunky

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