I. ˈshī adjective
( shi·er or shy·er ˈshī(-ə)r ; shi·est or shy·est ˈshī-əst)
Etymology: Middle English schey, from Old English scēoh; akin to Old High German sciuhen to frighten off
Date: before 12th century
1. : easily frightened : timid
2. : disposed to avoid a person or thing
publicity shy
3. : hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect
4. : sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved ; also : expressive of such a state or nature
a shy smile
5. : secluded , hidden
6. : having less than the full or specified amount or number : short
just shy of six feet tall
7. : disreputable
gambling hells and shy saloons — Blackwood's
• shy·ly adverb
• shy·ness noun
Synonyms:
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
modest about her success
coy implies a pretended shyness
put off by her coy manner
II. intransitive verb
( shied ; shy·ing )
Date: 1649
1. : to develop or show a dislike or distaste — usually used with from or away from
an author who shies away from publicity
2. : to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm
III. noun
( plural shies )
Date: 1791
: a sudden start aside (as from fright)
IV. verb
( shied ; shy·ing )
Etymology: perhaps from shy (I)
Date: 1787
intransitive verb
: to make a sudden throw
transitive verb
: to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling
V. noun
( plural shies )
Date: 1791
1. : the act of shying : toss , throw
2. : a verbal fling or attack
3. : cockshy