diffident
[dif-i-duhnt]
- lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
- restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
- Archaic. distrustful.
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Origin of diffident
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
nervouslytimidlyquietlysimplyplainlyhumblyapprehensivelydiffidentlyshylypurelychastelydemurelyunassuminglyunobtrusivelyvirtuouslyExamples from the Web for diffidently
Historical Examples
"I am as inexpert with the gun as the rod," said I, diffidently.
A Day's RideCharles James Lever
"Her smile is very pleasing," submitted Martha, diffidently.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)Charles James Lever
"I suspect not," said she, diffidently, and still blushing deeper.
The Bramleighs Of Bishop's FollyCharles James Lever
"You've seen very little of our world," he said diffidently.
The Colors of SpaceMarion Zimmer Bradley
It was Aura who diffidently suggested the plan they finally adopted.
The Girl in the Golden AtomRaymond King Cummings
diffident
- lacking self-confidence; timid; shy
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for diffidently
diffident
adj.
mid-15c., from Latin diffidentem (nominative diffidens), present participle of diffidere (see diffidence). Related: Diffidently.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper