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; see 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

While five of 2025 highest grossers were animated, including “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Zootopia 2,” creative timidity and remakes limit the potential of American animation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

That linguistic timidity —our inability to name what’s happening — is itself a form of complicity, and the result of a combination of fear and fecklessness.

From Salon • Nov. 13, 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

“Where are you taking me?” he asked in a voice soft with timidity and guilt, his gaze still averted.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• cowardice