shy
1
[ shahy ]
/ ʃaɪ /
adjective, shy·er or shi·er, shy·est or shi·est.
verb (used without object), shied, shy·ing.
(especially of a horse) to start back or aside, as in fear.
to draw back; recoil.
noun, plural shies.
a sudden start aside, as in fear.
Idioms for shy
fight shy of,
to keep away from; avoid: She fought shy of making the final decision.
Origin of shy
1
before 1000; late Middle English
schey (adj.), early Middle English
scheowe, Old English
scēoh; cognate with Middle High German
schiech; akin to Dutch
schuw, German
scheu; cf.
eschew
SYNONYMS FOR shy
1
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:
shy and retiring.
Bashful suggests timidity about meeting others, and trepidation and awkward behavior when brought into prominence or notice:
a bashful child.
Diffident emphasizes self-distrust, fear of censure, failure, etc., and a hesitant, tentative manner as a consequence:
a diffident approach to a touchy subject.
4 heedful, cautious, chary.
10 shrink.
ANTONYMS FOR shy
OTHER WORDS FROM shy
shy·er, noun shy·ly, adverb shy·ness, nounWords nearby shy
Definition for shying (2 of 2)
shy
2
[ shahy ]
/ ʃaɪ /
verb (used with or without object), shied, shy·ing.
to throw with a swift, sudden movement: to shy a stone.
noun, plural shies.
a quick, sudden throw.
Informal.
- a gibe or sneer.
- a try.
Origin of shy
2
First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
OTHER WORDS FROM shy
shy·er, nounExample sentences from the Web for shying
British Dictionary definitions for shying (1 of 2)
shy
1
/ (ʃaɪ) /
adjective shyer, shyest, shier or shiest
verb shies, shying or shied (intr)
to move suddenly, as from fear
the horse shied at the snake in the road
(usually foll by off or away)
to draw back; recoil
noun plural shies
a sudden movement, as from fear
Derived forms of shy
shyly, adverb shyness, nounWord Origin for shy
Old English
sceoh; related to Old High German
sciuhen to frighten away, Dutch
schuw shy, Swedish
skygg
British Dictionary definitions for shying (2 of 2)
shy
2
/ (ʃaɪ) /
verb shies, shying or shied
to throw (something) with a sideways motion
noun plural shies
Derived forms of shy
shyer, nounWord Origin for shy
C18: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German
sciuhen to make timid, Middle Dutch
schüchteren to chase away
Idioms and Phrases with shying
shy