diffident

[dif-i-duhnt]

adjective

1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

   Synonyms: unassuming, modest, abashed, self-conscious

2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

3. Archaic.,  distrustful.

diffident

/ ˈdɪfɪdənt /

adjective

1. lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

Other Word Forms

• diffidently adverb
• diffidentness noun
• nondiffident adjective
• undiffident adjective
• diffidence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffident¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin diffīdent- (stem of diffīdēns “mistrusting, despairing,” present participle of diffīdere ), equivalent to dif- dif- + fīd- “trust” + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffident¹

C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust

Synonym Study

See shy ¹.

Example Sentences

Seberg’s haircut in the original film, a super-short, blond pixie cut, rewrote fashion trends around the world and encapsulated a spirit of youthful, diffident insouciance.

From Los Angeles Times

Conservative leadership contender James Cleverly claims he has been "underestimated" throughout his political career because he has been too "diffident" about his achievements.

From BBC

Just as in Ukraine, decades of diffident American leadership, compounded by increasingly chaotic domestic politics, let the Gaza crisis spin out of control.

From Salon

Until now, Scott has been a largely diffident presence in the movies, having distinguished himself most prominently as a masterly TV foil: the Moriarty to Benedict Cumberbatch’s “Sherlock,” the “hot priest” to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag.”

From Los Angeles Times

On one side, some students at a handful of elite universities have made harsh anti-Israel statements, some crossing the line into outright antisemitism, and some university presidents have been diffident and mealy-mouthed in their responses.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bashful 
• demure 
• meek 
• self-conscious 
• self-effacing 
• sheepish 
• timid 
• unassuming