Synonyms

timidity

American

[ti-mid-i-tee] / tɪˈmɪd ɪ ti /

Sometimes timidness

noun

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.

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. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

That timidity angered two of the team’s main supporters groups, who canceled viewing parties, travel to road matches and other game-related events.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023