adjective
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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
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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Much Ado About Nothing
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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.
"Now our street is almost full, and more people are on their way," she said with an incredulous laugh, a bashful smile lighting up her face.
From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026
The hosts are not bashful about having conflicts of interest.
From Slate ● Apr. 7, 2026
Both sweet and bashful, Kikuo and Shunsuke quickly grow close, enduring Hanjiro’s exacting requirements as he shapes them to be graceful, disciplined performers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026
Armstrong, though, has been far from bashful about his ambitions for Coinbase, which he positioned as the American company to bring crypto into the mainstream.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
Zeke was bashful and looked at his feet.
From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness
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.
