diffident

[dif-i-duhnt]

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adjective

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
Archaic. distrustful.

Origin of diffident

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

Related formsdif·fi·dent·ly, adverbdif·fi·dent·ness, nounnon·dif·fi·dent, adjectivenon·dif·fi·dent·ly, adverbun·dif·fi·dent, adjectiveun·dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb

Synonyms for diffident

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1. self-conscious, self-effacing, abashed, embarrassed, modest, unassuming, unconfident. See shy¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for diffident

sheepish, demure, meek, self-effacing, bashful, unassuming, timid, self-conscious, shy, unsure, backward, chary, coy, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, humble, insecure, modest, mousy

Examples from the Web for diffident

Contemporary Examples of diffident

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
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

Historical Examples of diffident

The diffident took heart before him, and the presumptuous were checked.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
She spoke with diffident slowness, her gaze fastened upon her plate.
The Market-Place
Harold Frederic
The tone of his voice, now soft and diffident, startled Hardy out of his dream.
Hidden Water
Dane Coolidge
Barrington was the most diffident of men; his bashfulness amounted to actual pain.
Barrington
Charles James Lever
Edith, funny and diffident, now rose and addressed the class.
Molly Brown's Senior Days
Nell Speed

British Dictionary definitions for diffident

diffident

adjective

lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

Derived Formsdiffidence, 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

Word Origin and History for diffident

adj.

mid-15c., from Latin diffidentem (nominative diffidens), present participle of diffidere (see diffidence). Related: Diffidently.