diffidently
Americanadverb
-
in a way that shows lack of confidence in one’s own ability, worth, or fitness; timidly or shyly.
He saw her approaching rather diffidently, trying to summon up her courage, smiling an uncertain smile.
-
in a restrained or reserved way.
He got them to do the right thing not by scolding or nagging, but by calmly and diffidently laying out the logic of his position.
Other Word Forms
- nondiffidently adverb
- undiffidently adverb
Etymology
Origin of diffidently
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Well,” he began diffidently, “essentially I’m a writer.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
Yes, we were responding to anonymous prompts, but we were looking, respectfully and diffidently, at a fellow human being.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2021
Joel smiled diffidently and admitted, "The ball has been bouncing my way so far."
From Golf Digest • Apr. 16, 2020
Every 100 feet or so, a female fan — some were in their teens, others in their 50s — would cut in, diffidently asking for a selfie with this former teen idol from Mexico City.
From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2018
A little diffidently Isannah herself emerged from behind the lady’s great dark skirts.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
