timidity

American  

[ti-mid-i-tee] / tɪˈmɪd ɪ ti /

Sometimes timidness

noun

1. the state or quality of lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery.

   The stakes are too high for the officials charged with making decisions to succumb to timidity and refuse to act.

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Other Word Forms

• overtimidity noun
• overtimidness noun
• untimidness noun

Etymology

Origin of timidity

First recorded in 1510–20; from Latin timiditās, equivalent to timid(us) + -i- connecting vowel + -tās noun suffix; timid ( def. ), -i- ( def. ), -ty ² ( def. )

Explanation

Do you suffer from timidity? If so, you probably feel uneasy in new places and situations. You might fear having to make decisions. But as you get more comfortable, your timidity will go away. The noun timidity is related to the Latin word timidus, from timere, meaning “to fear.” In fact, fear is often a cause of timidity — fear of the unknown, fear of not knowing what to do. For example, you might experience timidity in visiting a country for the first time because you aren't sure of the local customs or you don't speak the language well. Because you are afraid of embarrassing yourself, you hold back.

Example Sentences

More timidity to observe, more vulnerability in defence, more powder-puff stuff up front, more wide men running in ever decreasing circles.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

This push and pull between wilderness and civilized life, or wildness versus timidity, has preoccupied Brown for the duration of his career, and it is what brought Brown to his robot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2025

But this is not the time for judicial timidity.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2025

Fear, panic and timidity rule the day, as they generally do.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

At any rate I have lost my diffidence, my timidity, my shyness with strangers.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• cowardice