timorous

tim·o·rous

adj \ˈti-mə-rəs, ˈtim-rəs\

Definition of TIMOROUS

1

: of a timid disposition : fearful <reproached myself with being so timorous and cautious — Daniel Defoe>

2

: expressing or suggesting timidity <proceed with doubtful and timorous steps — Edward Gibbon>

— tim·o·rous·ly adverb

— tim·o·rous·ness noun

Examples of TIMOROUS

1. a shy and timorous teenager
2. He spoke with a timorous voice.

Origin of TIMOROUS

Middle English, from Medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor fear, from timēre to fear

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TIMOROUS

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