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shy
1[ shahy ]
/ ʃaɪ /
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adjective, shy·er or shi·er [shahy-er], /ˈʃaɪ ər/, shy·est or shi·est [shahy-ist]. /ˈʃaɪ ɪst/.
verb (used without object), shied [shahyd], /ʃaɪd/, 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.
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Idioms about shy
fight shy of, to keep away from; avoid: She fought shy of making the final decision.
Origin of shy
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English (adjective) schei, sheu, sheouh “easily startled,” Old English scēoh “timid, fearful, shy”; cognate with Middle High German schiech; akin to Dutch schuw, German scheu; cf. eschew
synonym study 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.
OTHER WORDS FROM shy
shy·er, nounshy·ly, adverbshy·ness, nounWords nearby shy
shuttle diplomacy, shut up, Shvernik, shwa, shwe-shwe, shy, shy away from, Shylock, Shymkent, shypoo, shyster
Other definitions for shy (2 of 2)
shy2
[ shahy ]
/ ʃaɪ /
verb (used with or without object), shied, shy·ing.
to throw with a swift, sudden movement: to shy a stone.
noun, plural shies.
a quick, sudden throw.
Informal.
- a gibe or sneer.
- a try.
Origin of shy
2First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
OTHER WORDS FROM shy
shyer, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for shy (1 of 2)
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 shy (2 of 2)
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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Other Idioms and Phrases with shy
shy
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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