shiest
[ shahy-ist ]
/ ˈʃaɪ ɪst /
adjective
a superlative of shy1.
Words nearby shiest
shield volcano, shield-tailed snake, shields, shieling, shier, shiest, shift, shift bid, shift for oneself, shift key, shift lever
Definition for shiest (2 of 2)
shy1
[ shahy ]
/ ʃaɪ /
adjective, shy·er or shi·er, shy·est or shi·est.
verb (used without object), shied, shy·ing.
(especially of a horse) to start back or aside, as in fear.
to draw back; recoil.
noun, plural shies.
a sudden start aside, as in fear.
Origin of shy
1before 1000; late Middle English schey (adj.), early Middle English scheowe, Old English scēoh; cognate with Middle High German schiech; akin to Dutch schuw, German scheu; cf. eschew
SYNONYMS FOR shy
1 Shy, bashful, diffident imply a manner that shows discomfort or lack of confidence in association with others. Shy implies a constitutional shrinking from contact or close association with others, together with a wish to escape notice: shy and retiring. Bashful suggests timidity about meeting others, and trepidation and awkward behavior when brought into prominence or notice: a bashful child. Diffident emphasizes self-distrust, fear of censure, failure, etc., and a hesitant, tentative manner as a consequence: a diffident approach to a touchy subject.
4 heedful, cautious, chary.
10 shrink.
OTHER WORDS FROM shy
shy·er, nounshy·ly, adverbshy·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for shiest
This resentful look is deceptive, however, for the bird is the shiest creature imaginable.
Argentine Ornithology, Volume I (of 2)|P. L. Sclater
British Dictionary definitions for shiest (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for shiest (2 of 3)
shy1
/ (ʃaɪ) /
adjective shyer, shyest, shier or shiest
verb shies, shying or shied (intr)
to move suddenly, as from fearthe horse shied at the snake in the road
(usually foll by off or away) to draw back; recoil
noun plural shies
a sudden movement, as from fear
Derived forms of shy
shyly, adverbshyness, nounWord Origin for shy
Old English sceoh; related to Old High German sciuhen to frighten away, Dutch schuw shy, Swedish skygg
British Dictionary definitions for shiest (3 of 3)
shy2
/ (ʃaɪ) /
verb shies, shying or shied
to throw (something) with a sideways motion
noun plural shies
Derived forms of shy
shyer, nounWord Origin for shy
C18: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German sciuhen to make timid, Middle Dutch schüchteren to chase away
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with shiest
shy
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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