diffident
[dif-i-duhnt]
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
Synonyms for diffident
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for diffidently
nervously, timidly, quietly, simply, plainly, humbly, apprehensively, shyly, purely, chastely, demurely, unassumingly, unobtrusively, virtuouslyExamples from the Web for diffidently
Historical Examples of diffidently
"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
adjective
Word Origin for diffident
C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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diffident
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper