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 …

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 …

A shy person is nervous and uncomfortable in the company of other people. She was a shy, quiet-spoken girl. She was a shy and retiring person off-stage.

Feb 22, 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.

Tending to avoid contact or familiarity with others; retiring or reserved. A shy student who stayed in the back of the room.

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.

Elusive; hard to find, get at, obtain, or accomplish. Morally circumspect; scrupulous. Keen; piercing; bold; sharp. Sly; sharp; cunning. Scant. The wind is said to be shy when it will barely allow a vessel …

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