shy
1suspicious, distrustful, or wary (often used in combination): I am a bit shy of that sort of person.The studio made a huge mistake when they cast a horse-shy actor in the cowboy role.This particular inventor was known to be media-shy.
reluctant: She’s never been shy about asking to speak to the manager when she’s unhappy with customer service.
deficient: shy of funds.
short of a full amount or number; scant: We're still a few dollars shy of our goal.He's pretty tall—just an inch shy of six feet.
(in poker) indebted to the pot.
not bearing or breeding freely, as plants or animals.
(especially of a horse) to start back or aside, as in fear.
to draw back; recoil.
a sudden start aside, as in fear.
Idioms about shy
fight shy of, to keep away from; avoid: She fought shy of making the final decision.
Origin of shy
1synonym study For shy
Other words for shy
Opposites for shy
Other words from shy
- shy·er, noun
- shy·ly, adverb
- shy·ness, noun
Other definitions for shy (2 of 2)
to throw with a swift, sudden movement: to shy a stone.
a quick, sudden throw.
Informal.
a gibe or sneer.
a try.
Origin of shy
2Other words for shy
Other words from shy
- shyer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shy in a sentence
“He would have liked to speak, I think, but could not get up courage for it; he is the shyest man possible,” cried Emma.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series | Mrs. Henry WoodThat they could repay a kindness is well shown by the story of Rhcus, who gained the love of one of the shyest of these nymphs.
Stories of Old Greece and Rome | Emilie Kip BakerNo gun was ever heard there, and the shyest creatures learned they were safe, among friends who loved them.
My Friends at Brook Farm | John Van Der Zee SearsShe said it in the shyest, happiest tone imaginable, and a little blush stole over her smooth cheeks.
A Girl of the Klondike | Victoria CrossIt is a heaven-given scenario of that shyest, dearest, remotest of essences—the mind of a strolling bachelor.
Shandygaff | Christopher Morley
British Dictionary definitions for shy (1 of 2)
/ (ʃaɪ) /
not at ease in the company of others
easily frightened; timid
(often foll by of) watchful or wary
poker (of a player) without enough money to back his bet
(of plants and animals) not breeding or producing offspring freely
(foll by of) informal, mainly US and Canadian short (of)
(in combination) showing reluctance or disinclination: workshy
to move suddenly, as from fear: the horse shied at the snake in the road
(usually foll by off or away) to draw back; recoil
a sudden movement, as from fear
Origin of shy
1Derived forms of shy
- shyly, adverb
- shyness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for shy (2 of 2)
/ (ʃaɪ) /
to throw (something) with a sideways motion
Origin of shy
2Derived forms of shy
- shyer, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with shy
In addition to the idiom beginning with shy
- shy away from
also see:
- bricks shy of a load
- fight shy of
- once bitten, twice shy
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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