adjective
-
disposed to attempt to avoid notice through shyness or modesty; diffident; timid
-
indicating or characterized by shyness or modesty
Synonym Usage
See shy 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bashful
Explanation
Bashful means shy or timid. You might feel bashful when meeting a famous actress, a high-ranking government official, or just someone whom you find really good-looking. Bashful and shy are similar in meaning, but not quite identical. Bashful often describes people who are shy but friendly. In fact, being bashful is sometimes seen as an endearing quality. So, you probably wouldn't use bashful to describe a quiet, reserved coworker with whom you have little contact; shy would be a better fit. However, bashful is a perfect description for your good friend who unfortunately becomes tongue-tied whenever she tries to talk to strangers.
Vocabulary lists containing bashful
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Where the Red Fern Grows
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Much Ado About Nothing
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She makes her way to a cottage in the forest that is inhabited by seven dwarfs named Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey who all work in a nearby mine.
From Fox News • Jan. 25, 2022
In fact, hours after the aborted Bashful missive, Giuliani was dopey once again.
From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2018
Unlike the Thrifty Frankenstein or the Bashful Hamburglar, the Bloody Dracula is a trick that actually exists.
From Slate • Feb. 24, 2018
The quartet – also known as Shadow, Speedy, Bashful and Pokey – had distinct personalities and attributes, although most joystick-wagglers remember them just hanging around the maze being annoying.
From The Guardian • Oct. 24, 2014
Bashful, Petey didn’t bother denying the things TimeStar said he was capable of.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
