bashful

American  

[bash-fuhl] / ˈbæʃ fəl /

adjective

1. uncomfortably diffident and easily embarrassed; shy; timid.

   Synonyms:

   modest, abashed

2. indicative of, accompanied by, or proceeding from bashfulness.

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bashful British  

/ ˈbæʃfʊl /

adjective

1. disposed to attempt to avoid notice through shyness or modesty; diffident; timid

2. indicating or characterized by shyness or modesty

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Related Words

See shy ¹.

Other Word Forms

• bashfully adverb
• bashfulness noun
• overbashful adjective
• overbashfully adverb
• overbashfulness noun
• unbashful adjective
• unbashfully adverb
• unbashfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of bashful

First recorded in 1540–50; (a)bash + -ful

Example Sentences

“This guy is too bashful to say anything, but in order for us to play this once-in-a-lifetime gig, we need your help.”

From Literature

But since I was not pretty, and far too bashful to express my feelings, a whole generation of boys was growing up unaware of the girl in seat 32.

From Literature

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

I glare at Woo, who puts his hands up and gives a bashful “Woo?”

From Literature

The girl sounded uncharacteristically bashful as she offered her gift.

From Literature

Related Words

• confused
• coy
• diffident
• embarrassed
• reticent
• self-conscious
• sheepish
• timid