[shy] adj shi.er or shy.er ; shi.est or shy.est [ME schey, fr. OE sceoh; akin to OHG sciuhen to frighten off] (bef. 12c) 1: easily frightened: timid
2: disposed to avoid a person or thing "publicity ~" "book-shy children"
3: hesitant in committing oneself: circumspect
4: sensitively diffident or retiring: reserved "a ~ seclusive person"; also: expressive of such a state or nature "spoke in a ~ voice"
5: secluded, hidden
6: having less than the full or specified amount or number: short "just ~ of six feet tall" "the stew is a little ~ of seasoning" 7: disreputable "gambling hells and ~ saloons --Blackwood's" -- shy.ly adv -- shy.ness n syn shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others "shy with strangers". bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence "a bashful boy out on his first date". diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking "felt diffident about raising an objection". modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit "very modest about her achievements". coy implies an assumed or affected shyness "put off by her coy manner".
[2]shy vi shied ; shy.ing (1650) 1: to develop or show a dislike or distaste--usu. used with from or away from "an author who shies away from publicity"
2: to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm [3]shy n, pl shies (1791): a sudden start aside (as from fright) [4]shy vb shied ; shy.ing [perh. fr. [1]shy] vi (1787): to make a sudden throw ~ vt: to throw (an object) with a jerk: fling [5]shy n, pl shies (1791) 1: the act of shying: toss, throw
2: a verbal fling or attack
3: cockshy