1
a
: feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
a shy, quiet girl
I was painfully shy as a teenager.
She was too shy to ask for help.
b
: showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
her shy manner
He gave her a shy smile.
2
: tending to avoid something because of nervousness, fear, dislike, etc.
publicity shy
camera shy
—often + ofHe was never shy of controversy.
3
: hesitant about taking what you want or need
Help yourself if you want more. Don't be shy.
4
of an animal
: easily frightened : timid
animals that are nocturnal and shy
5
chiefly US
: having less than a full or expected amount or number : short
We were shy about 10 dollars.
—usually + ofHe was two weeks shy of his 19th birthday when he joined the army.
The ball stopped just a few inches shy of the hole.
He's three credits shy of his bachelor's degree.
shies; shied; shying
: to move away from something because of fear
The horse shied when the gun went off.
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/shy. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
