timorous

[ tim-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. full of fear; fearful:

   The noise made them timorous.

2. subject to fear; timid.
3. characterized by or indicating fear:

   a timorous whisper.

timorous

/ ˈtɪmərəs /

adjective

1. fearful or timid
2. indicating fear or timidity

Derived Forms

• ˈtimorousness, noun
• ˈtimorously, adverb

Other Words From

• timor·ous·ly adverb
• timor·ous·ness noun
• over·timor·ous adjective
• over·timor·ous·ly adverb
• over·timor·ous·ness noun
• un·timor·ous adjective
• un·timor·ous·ly adverb
• un·timor·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of timorous¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin timōrōsus ( Latin timōr- (stem of timor ) fear + -ōsus -ous )

Word History and Origins

Origin of timorous¹

C15: from Old French temoros, from Medieval Latin timōrōsus, from Latin timor fear, from timēre to be afraid

Synonym Study

See cowardly.

Example Sentences

Forget about the Second Amendment—the gun lobby, abetted by timorous Republicans, is trying to privatize law and order.

From The Daily Beast

Alas, the sad truth is that the CIA, despite its Bourne Identity reputation, has become a timorous, risk-averse bureaucracy.

From The Daily Beast

The CIA, despite its cowboy image, is in fact in many ways a timorous, risk-averse bureaucracy.

From The Daily Beast

After a few days of excessive nervousness the most timorous among the women were heard to complain of the monotony of existence!

From Project Gutenberg

They find it in their interest to be generous, obliging, and friendly; but to represent them as timorous sycophants is absurd.

From Project Gutenberg

In such circumstances some timorous husbands go to the country or make a journey to Italy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chub is a very timorous fish, utterly worthless as food except during the winter months.

From Project Gutenberg

He opened the door, gave the timorous orphan a vigorous drive behind, and Mr. Figgins stood in the august presence.

From Project Gutenberg