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 diffidently

nervously, timidly, quietly, simply, plainly, humbly, apprehensively, diffidently, shyly, purely, chastely, demurely, unassumingly, unobtrusively, virtuously

Examples 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 Ride
Charles 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 Folly
Charles James Lever
"You've seen very little of our world," he said diffidently.
The Colors of Space
Marion Zimmer Bradley
It was Aura who diffidently suggested the plan they finally adopted.
The Girl in the Golden Atom
Raymond King Cummings

British Dictionary definitions for diffidently

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 diffidently

diffident

adj.

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