diffidence

[ dif-i-duhns ]
See synonyms for diffidence on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the quality or state of being diffident.

Origin of diffidence

1
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Latin diffīdentia “mistrust, want of confidence”; see diffident, -ence

Other words from diffidence

  • non·dif·fi·dence, noun

Words Nearby diffidence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diffidence in a sentence

  • For a time I attributed your reserve to diffidence, and trusted that time and my efforts would dissipate it.

    Alone | Marion Harland
  • With a slight protest of diffidence, the Doctor unfolded the paper, scanned the page for an instant, and began slowly.

    Molly Make-Believe | Eleanor Hallowell Abbott