Shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. He was too shy to ask her to dance with him She gave a shy smile Children are often shy with people they don't know The deer were shy (= unwilling to be near people) and hid behind some trees. A shy person is nervous and uncomfortable in the company of other people
To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid The horse shied at the loud sound To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something A film adaptation that would not shy away from the novel's controversial themes (scot french). Shy, bashful, diffident imply a manner that shows discomfort or lack of confidence in association with others Shy implies a constitutional shrinking from contact or close association with others, together with a wish to escape notice
While all these words mean not inclined to be forward, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. Not confident, especially about meeting or talking to new people If a horse shies, it moves… 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 tending to avoid, like when someone is camera shy, or if they shy away from being straightforward.
Definition of shy adjective in oxford advanced learner's dictionary Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
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