timid

[tim-id]

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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.

Origin of timid

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

Related formsti·mid·i·ty, tim·id·ness, nountim·id·ly, adverbo·ver·tim·id, adjectiveo·ver·tim·id·ly, adverbo·ver·tim·id·ness, nouno·ver·ti·mid·i·ty, nounun·tim·id, adjectiveun·tim·id·ly, adverbun·tim·id·ness, noun

Synonyms for timid

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1. fearful, fainthearted.

Synonym study

1. See cowardly.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for timidly

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

Examples from the Web for timidly

Contemporary Examples of timidly

The quartet is presented with a pitcher of syrup, which the waiter advises we apply “temperately, but not timidly.”
The Hunt for New Orleans’s Secret Dish
Jane & Michael Stern
April 6, 2014

Historical Examples of timidly

With some embarrassment he delicately, timidly, hinted his apprehensions.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
She timidly signed the card and returned it to the corner of the table.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
"He is the member for North Northamptonshire," I timidly replied.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 25, January 1893
Various
Sigmund shrunk a little away from his uncle, not timidly, but with some distaste.
The First Violin
Jessie Fothergill
Now, timidly peeping from behind her skirts, he ventured to open his eyes on it.
Cleo The Magnificent
Louis Zangwill

British Dictionary definitions for timidly

timid

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.