diffidence
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
- nondiffidence noun
Etymology
Origin of diffidence
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Latin diffīdentia “mistrust, want of confidence”; see diffident, -ence
Explanation
The noun diffidence refers to a lack of self-confidence. Your diffidence might be the reason why you never say "hi" to the cute guy or gal in the elevator or why you never ask for a raise. The noun diffidence comes from the Latin word diffidere, meaning "to mistrust" or "to lack confidence." Diffidence is often mistaken for snootiness because people don't understand that the diffident person is shy and lacking in confidence. "They asked him to be the team leader, but he expressed diffidence, saying that he didn't think he had enough time to do the job justice, nor did he think he had enough experience."
Vocabulary lists containing diffidence
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Diary of a Young Girl
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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.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the Cuomo campaign is the candidate’s diffidence about his time as governor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025
"He brings the sweetness and floppiness of early career Hugh Grant, but relies less on cringey posh diffidence and more on a sweet theatricality," she wrote.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2024
“It is probably this diffidence that has made it difficult to make progress on solutions.”
From Seattle Times • Jul. 23, 2023
One video shows the two cats at their first meeting exhibiting mutual curiosity and typical feline diffidence.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2023
Somehow we landed on the subject of Pim’s extreme diffidence.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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.
