diffident

[ dif-i-duhnt ]
/ ˈdɪf ɪ dənt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR diffident ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
Archaic. distrustful.

Origin of diffident

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin diffīdent- (stem of diffīdēns mistrusting, despairing, present participle of diffīdere), equivalent to dif- dif- + fīd- trust + -ent- -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM diffident

Words nearby diffident

differentiator, difficile, difficult, difficulty, diffidence, diffident, diffluence, diffluent, difflugia, diffract, diffraction

Words related to diffident

sheepish, demure, meek, self-effacing, bashful, unassuming, timid, self-conscious, shy, unsure, backward, chary, coy, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, humble, insecure, modest, mousy

Example sentences from the Web for diffident

British Dictionary definitions for diffident

diffident
/ (ˈdɪfɪdənt) /

adjective

lacking self-confidence; timid; shy

Derived forms of diffident

diffidence, noun diffidently, adverb

Word Origin for diffident

C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust