shy

adjective \ ˈshī \

Definition of shy

shier or shyer play \ˈshī(-ə)r\; shiest or shyest play \ˈshī-əst\

1 : easily frightened : timid

2 : disposed to avoid a person or thing

publicity shy

3 : hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect

4 : sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved; also : expressive of such a state or nature

a shy smile

5 : secluded, hidden

6 : having less than the full or specified amount or number : short

just shy of six feet tall

7 : disreputable

gambling hells and shy saloons
—Blackwood's

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shyly

adverb

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shyness

noun

See shy defined for English-language learners

See shy defined for kids

Examples of shy in a Sentence

I was painfully shy as a teenager.
She was too shy to ask for help.
He gave her a shy smile.
Help yourself if you want more. Don't be shy.

Origin and Etymology of shy

Middle English schey, going back to Old English scēoh, going back to West Germanic *skeuh(w)a- (whence also Middle High German schiehe, schiech "timid, despondent," and, with alteration or variant ablaut, Middle Dutch scu, scouw "timid"), perhaps extended form of Indo-European *(s)keu̯(H)- "perceive, watch" — more at ¹show

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

shy Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of shy

shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

- shy with strangers

bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

- a bashful boy out on his first date

diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

- felt diffident about raising an objection

modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

- modest about her success

coy implies a pretended shyness.

- put off by her coy manner

shy

verb

Definition of shy

shied; shying

intransitive verb

1 : to develop or show a dislike or distaste —usually used with from or away from

an author who shies away from publicity

2 : to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm

Origin and Etymology of shy

derivative of ¹shy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1649

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shy

noun

Definition of shy

plural shies

: a sudden start aside (as from fright)

Origin and Etymology of shy

derivative of ²shy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1791

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shy

verb

Definition of shy

shied; shying

intransitive verb

: to make a sudden throw

transitive verb

: to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling

Origin and Etymology of shy

of obscure origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1787

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shy

noun

Definition of shy

plural shies

1 : the act of shying : toss, throw

2 : a verbal fling or attack

3 : cockshy

Origin and Etymology of shy

derivative of ⁴shy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1791

See Words from the same year

SHY Defined for English Language Learners

shy

adjective

Definition of shy for English Language Learners

: feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
: showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
: tending to avoid something because of nervousness, fear, dislike, etc.

SHY Defined for Kids

shy

adjective \ ˈshī \

Definition of shy for Students

shier or shyer; shiest or shyest

1 : not feeling comfortable meeting and talking to people

a shy awkward boy

2 : easily frightened : timid

a shy kitten

3 : showing a dislike of attention

a shy face

4 : tending to avoid something or someone

I'm camera shy. Don't take my picture.

5 : having less than a full or an expected amount or number

We were shy about ten dollars.

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shyly

adverb

She smiled shyly.

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shyness

noun

Synonym Discussion of shy

shy and bashful mean feeling awkward around others. shy is used of someone who doesn't want to meet or talk with people either by habit or for special reasons.