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shier

1 American  
[shahy-er] / ˈʃaɪ ər /

adjective

  1. a comparative of shy.


shier 2 American  
[shahy-er] / ˈʃaɪ ər /
Or shyer

noun

  1. a horse having a tendency to shy.


shier 1 British  
/ ˈʃaɪə /

adjective

  1. a comparative of shy 1

"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

shier 2 British  
/ ˈʃaɪə /

noun

  1. a horse that shies habitually

"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

Etymology

Origin of shier

First recorded in 1820–30; shy 1 + -er 1

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.

“Mabel 2 is much shier and has more wildness in her,” so she was used in the nervous bird scenes early on.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

“I just loved it. It was a natural fit. I think it’s good for any child, to be honest, for confidence. I was on the shier side.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

Toula worked in my shier stage of life.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was really a fine shier, and his dribbling powers beyond dispute.

From Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches by Bone, David Drummond

No doubt you are peacefully settled on your ancestral estate with only a few months and a little patience between you and your grandfather’s shier.

From The House of a Thousand Candles by Nicholson, Meredith

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