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Synonyms for shy
| Grammar : Adj |
| Spell : shahy |
| Phonetic Transcription : ʃaɪ |
Top 10 synonyms for shy Other synonyms for the word shy
- averse
- backward
- chary
- conscious
- deficient
- disinclined
- distrustful
- humble
- inadequate
- indisposed
- insufficient
- introvert
- introverted
- loath
- loner
- modest
- nervous
- recessive
- reluctant
- reserved
- reticent
- retiring
- scant
- scanty
- scarce
- self-effacing
- shamefaced
- sheepish
- short
- shrinking
- skittish
- suspicious
- timid
- unassertive
- unassured
- uneager
- uneffusive
- unresponsive
- unsocial
- unsufficient
- unwilling
- wanting
- wary
Définition of shy
Origin :- late Old English sceoh "timid, easily startled," from Proto-Germanic *skeukh(w)az "afraid" (cf. Middle Low German schüwe, Dutch schuw, German scheu "shy;" Old High German sciuhen, German scheuchen "to scare away"). Uncertain cognates outside Germanic, unless in Old Church Slavonic shchuti "to hunt, incite." Italian schivare "to avoid," Old French eschiver "to shun" are Germanic loan-words. Meaning "lacking, short of" is from 1895, American English gambling slang. Related: Shyly; shyness.
- adj quiet and self-conscious
- adj lacking, failing
- Sallie, he knew, was a friend of the shy, golden-haired sister.
- Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden
- He was a sensitive man, and did not realize that others were sometimes as shy as himself.
- Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
- Such, in truth, was too often the habit of the shy and musing girl.
- Extract from : « Sylph Etherege » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Frederica looked so shy, so confused, when we entered the room, that I felt for her exceedingly.
- Extract from : « Lady Susan » by Jane Austen
- Her lids had dropped; she looked very slim, and young, and shy.
- Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various
- At this sound and this sight, my horse, that was shy, backed a little.
- Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
- I had half a mind to try my hand at a visit; but felt too shy, and too much afraid.
- Extract from : « Ned Myers » by James Fenimore Cooper
- He seemed to have a wild, shy look, like the offspring of an untamed, animal.
- Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier
- She gave me a shy smile and a low-voiced greeting as we passed.
- Extract from : « The Fortune Hunter » by Louis Joseph Vance
- "I didn't understand, you know," she told him with a slow, shy smile.
- Extract from : « The Black Bag » by Louis Joseph Vance
Antonyms for shy
- adequate
- aggressive
- bent
- bold
- brave
- calm
- careless
- conceited
- confident
- courageous
- disposed
- eager
- egotistical
- enough
- extroverted
- fearless
- forward
- heedless
- immodest
- incautious
- inclined
- indiscreet
- outgoing
- proud
- rash
- sufficient
- unabashed
- unafraid
- unashamed
- uncareful
- unfearful
- unreserved
- unshy
- unworried
- willing
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019