Dictionary.com
definitions

timid

[ tim-id ]
/ ˈtɪm ɪd /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR timid 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.

RELATED CONTENT

SnuffleupagusRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
How Does Adding The Word “Possible” Change News?What is a possible hate crime? A possible sexual assault? A possible terrorist attack?
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

easily, delicately, casually, tenderly, moderately, gingerly, softly, simply, mildly, freely, quietly, slightly, sparsely, faintly, subtly, nervously, warily, hesitantly, cautiously, reluctantly

Nearby words

  1. timespan,
  2. timetable,
  3. timewise,
  4. timework,
  5. timeworn,
  6. timidly,
  7. timing,
  8. timing belt,
  9. timing chain,
  10. timing gear

Origin of timid

1540–50; < Latin timidus fearful, equivalent to tim(ēre) to fear + -idus -id4
Related forms

Synonym study

1. See cowardly.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for timidly

British Dictionary definitions for timidly

timid

/ (ˈtɪmɪd) /

adjective

easily frightened or upset, esp by human contact; shy
indicating shyness or fear
Derived Formstimidity 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
Word Origin and History for timidly

timid

adj.

1540s, from Middle French timide "easily frightened, shy," from Latin timidus "fearful," from timere "to fear." Related: Timidly; timidness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper