Shy
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ʃaɪ/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Shy is an adjective meaning Easily frightened; timid.
Meaning
Easily frightened; timid.
More Meanings
- Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
- Cautious; wary; suspicious.
- (informal) Short, insufficient or less than.
- (intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.
- (intransitive) To jump back in fear.
- (transitive) To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling.
- (UK, US, politics, of a voter) Less likely to reveal whom they will vote for than average, chiefly in the context of the collective effect this has on polling accuracy.
Example Sentences
He is very shy with strangers.
Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of their successors.
By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.
[…] I am very ſhy of building any thing of moment upon foundations that I eſteem ſo unſure, […]
Word Forms
- shyer
- shyest
- shying
Synonyms for shy
Depending on context, synonyms include abashed, backward, bashful, bookish, coy, distant.
Antonyms for shy
Common opposites include audacious, barefaced, bold, brazen, impudent, immodest.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include timid, diffident, deficient, insufficient, unsure, unconfident.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.