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

Moore is genuinely hilarious in the role, transforming under the tutelage of Paul Giamatti’s world-weary director character Jerry from a timid mouse into an indomitable and histrionic artist. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Carla receives a voice recording that proves that one of the company’s most efficient team leaders, Madame Lalouette (Carine Rouvier), has been verbally abusing the timid Madame Morel (Sandra Le Gall). — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Known for his gruff vocals, LaMontagne first came to the scene in the early aughts as a timid troubadour. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

After all, oodles of fans still worship at the altar of Jim and Pam, the shaggy-haired salesman and timid receptionist who became a generation of besotted worker bees’ Ross and Rachel — the couple to root for who became the couple to emulate. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 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