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.

Coded: 1, very reluctant or fearful; 2, shy; 3, warms up to tester; 4, immediately friendly. Partly because of the subject's political sensitivity, many scholars shy away from it. For instance, a youth who is …

If you are shy about or shy of doing something, you are unwilling to do it because you are afraid of what might happen. They feel shy about showing their feelings.

1. To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid: The horse shied at the loud sound. 2. To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something: "a film adaptation that would not shy away from …

Shy implies a constitutional shrinking from contact or close association with others, together with a wish to escape notice: shy and retiring. Bashful suggests timidity about meeting others, and trepidation …

suspicious, distrustful, or wary (often used in combination): The studio made a huge mistake when they cast a horse-shy actor in the cowboy role. I am a bit shy of that sort of person.

Feb 2, 2026 · shy (third-person singular simple present shies, present participle shying, simple past and past participle shied) (intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.

Shy means being nervous or reserved around other people, especially in a social situation. Someone who's extremely shy might blush or stammer when talking to a group of people. Shy can also mean …

SHY meaning: 1 : feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people; 2 : showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people

Definition of shy adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.