Meaning

Easily frightened; timid..

Definitions by Sense

1. Easily frightened; timid.
2. Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
3. Cautious; wary; suspicious.
4. (informal) Short, insufficient or less than.
5. (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.
6. (intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.
7. (intransitive) To jump back in fear.
8. (transitive) To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling.

Example Sentences

The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting.

He is very shy with strangers.

VVhat makes you ſo ſhy of late, my good Friend? There's no Body loves you better than I, nor has taken more Pains in your Affairs: […]

Graham Norton: But the people coming up to you now, like the Americans, well, you know, the Americans, they're not shy, the Americans. / Maggie Smith: No. Well, no but I don't go anywhere where really they can get at me. It's usually in museums and art galleries and things, so that limits things. I keep away from there, and Harrod's I don't go near.

We grant, although he had much wit, / H' was very shy of using it; / As being loth to wear it out, / And therefore bore it not about,

Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of their successors.

[…] I am very ſhy of building any thing of moment upon foundations that I eſteem ſo unſure, […]

By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.

Word Forms

• shier
• shyer
• more shy
• shiest
• shyest
• most shy
• shies
• shying
• shied

Synonyms for shy

Antonyms for shy

Related Words

When Should You Use Shy?

Use shy when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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