bash ‧ ful /ˈbæʃf ə l/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: bash 'to be embarrassed or ashamed' (14-17 centuries) , from abash ; ⇨ ↑ abashed ]
easily embarrassed in social situations SYN shy :
a bashful grin
Don’t be bashful about telling people how you feel.
—bashfully adverb
—bashfulness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bashful shy and not willing to say very much
▪ self-conscious worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you
▪ timid not brave or confident
▪ reserved not liking to express your emotions or talk about your problems
▪ introverted thinking a lot about your own interests, problems etc, and not liking to be with other people
▪ withdrawn quiet and not wanting to talk to other people, especially because you are unhappy
▪ antisocial not liking to meet people and talk to them
▪ retiring formal not wanting to be with other people