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View synonyms for timid

timid

[ tim-id ]

adjective

, tim·id·er, tim·id·est.
  1. lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.

    Synonyms: fainthearted, fearful

  2. characterized by or indicating fear:

    a timid approach to a problem.



timid

/ ˈtɪmɪd /

adjective

  1. easily frightened or upset, esp by human contact; shy
  2. indicating shyness or fear


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Derived Forms

  • ˈtimidly, adverb
  • tiˈmidity, noun

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Other Words From

  • ti·mid·i·ty [ti-, mid, -i-tee], tim·id·ness noun
  • tim·id·ly adverb
  • o·ver·tim·id adjective
  • o·ver·tim·id·ly adverb
  • un·tim·id adjective
  • un·tim·id·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of timid1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin timidus “fearful,” equivalent to tim(ēre) “to fear” + -idus adjective suffix; -id 4

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Word History and Origins

Origin of timid1

C16: from Latin timidus, from timēre to fear

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

We exchanged timid greetings while the rest of them settled down.

Colonial hasn’t fully changed that, but I think we’re moving away from a timid response.

“At first, I was a little bit timid because I wasn’t sure how they would react,” JJ said.

We’re not going to make the same mistake we made after the last economic downturn, when Congress did too little to help the nation rebound … we’re not going to be timid in the face of big challenges.

One night after her program, the typically timid Evie perked up in her chair at the dinner table, excited to share some news.

From Time

Could the (thus far) timid trembling give way to a full-on, grand mal seizure?

He largely agreed with Lieberman but considered Netanyahu too timid towards the Palestinians.

But when I arrive at the entrance, the timid gatekeeper tells me—without explanation—that I can no longer speak with him.

Even the most timid and shaky of the puppies looks determined and confident in slo-mo.

SO THAT HIS PLACE SHALL NEVER BE WITH THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS WHO NEITHER KNOW VICTORY NOR DEFEAT.

If it were not for the cowardly fear of being thought timid, there would be more care used in such matters.

The public eye, ever watchful and timid, waits scarcely for the show of danger to take alarm and withdraw its favour.

One retrograde or timid step would open the eyes of men, and bring down ruin on the Pantamorphica.

Impudent and reckless us he had been all his life, he was now more timid and nervous than an hysterical girl.

She smiled back at him, a pale, timid smile, like a gleam of sunshine from a wintry sky.

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