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timid

[ tim-id ]
/ ˈtɪm ɪd /
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See synonyms for: timid / timidity / timidly / timidness on Thesaurus.com
adjective, tim·id·er, tim·id·est.
lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.
characterized by or indicating fear: a timid approach to a problem.
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Origin of timid

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin timidus “fearful,” equivalent to tim(ēre) “to fear” + -idus adjective suffix; see -id4

synonym study for timid

1. See cowardly.

OTHER WORDS FROM timid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to timid

ambivalent, bashful, demure, diffident, fearful, feeble, frightened, gentle, humble, modest, nervous, weak, shrinking, trembling, wavering, yellow, afraid, apprehensive, badgered, browbeaten

How to use timid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for timid

timid
/ (ˈtɪmɪd) /
adjective
easily frightened or upset, esp by human contact; shy
indicating shyness or fear

Derived forms of timid

timidity or timidness, nountimidly, adverb

Word Origin for timid

C16: from Latin timidus, from timēre to fear
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
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