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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.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to diffident

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

Example sentences from the Web for diffident

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
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