diffident

[ dif-i-duhnt ]

/ ˈdɪf ɪ dənt /

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See synonyms for: diffident / diffidently on Thesaurus.com

adjective

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

Archaic. distrustful.

OTHER WORDS FOR diffident

1 self-conscious, abashed, unconfident, self-effacing, embarrassed; modest, unassuming.

See synonyms for diffident on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of diffident

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin diffīdent- (stem of diffīdēns “mistrusting, despairing,” present participle of diffīdere), equivalent to dif-dif- + fīd- “trust” + -ent--ent

synonym study for diffident

1. See shy¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM diffident

dif·fi·dent·ly, adverbdif·fi·dent·ness, nounnon·dif·fi·dent, adjectiveun·dif·fi·dent, adjective

Words nearby diffident

different strokes for different folks, difficile, difficult, difficulty, diffidence, diffident, diffidently, diffluence, diffluent, Difflugia, diffract

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

How to use diffident in a sentence

He was charming, diffident but above all very friendly, with no airs or graces.
How John Lennon Rediscovered His Music in Bermuda|The Telegraph|November 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Every study ever performed has shown that the fit and lean outlive the dumpy and diffident every time.
Cool It on the CrossFit: What’s Rhabdomyolysis?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I have a bit of a reputation as a grim reaper,” she says, with her typically diffident smile.
Tacita Dean’s ‘Five Americans’ Captures a Quiet Brilliance|Blake Gopnik|May 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Obama seemed equally diffident in his East Room news conference last week.
The Decider vs. The Agonizer|Howard Kurtz|November 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST

And, on a global level, the usually diffident IMF is proposing that banks be subject to special punitive taxes.
Wall Street Will Reform Washington|Jeffrey E. Garten|April 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
And, incidentally, to encourage retiring and diffident lady interviewers.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
He seemed diffident, but it was evident that he did not wish her to go, and once more she felt that he aroused her curiosity.
The Gold Trail|Harold Bindloss
He reached out and touched my hand––a fleeting, diffident touch––and gently answered, “Ay, lad; your feet will stray.”
The Cruise of the Shining Light|Norman Duncan
He pushed the diffident greenness back, and went whistling rudely across the lands.
The Devourers|Annie Vivanti Chartres
If the tyrannous day of our fathers had but possessed the means of these our more diffident times!
Ceres' Runaway|Alice Meynell

British Dictionary definitions for diffident

diffident

/ (ˈdɪfɪdənt) /

adjective

lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

Derived forms of diffident

diffidence, noundiffidently, adverb

Word Origin for diffident

C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diffident

OTHER WORDS FOR diffident

Origin of diffident

synonym study for diffident

OTHER WORDS FROM diffident

Words nearby diffident

Words related to diffident

How to use diffident in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diffident

Derived forms of diffident

Word Origin for diffident