shy
She was too shy to speak in front of the class.
She avoided speaking because she felt nervous around others.
nervous or uncomfortable in social situations, often avoiding attention
He's shy around strangers but very outgoing with friends.
He feels uncomfortable meeting new people but behaves naturally with people he knows.
The kitten was shy at first but soon warmed up to us.
The kitten avoided interaction initially but became more comfortable over time.
Often used to describe people, animals, or behavior in social contexts. Can imply modesty or reluctance to draw attention.
to move or flinch slightly due to surprise or fear
The horse shied at the sudden noise.
The horse suddenly moved away in response to the loud sound.
Most commonly used with animals, especially horses. Rare in modern casual speech.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding common mistakes
Do not confuse 'shy' (nervous) with 'sly' (clever in a deceitful way). 'Shy' describes social discomfort, while 'sly' implies cunning.
Gold Rule
Using 'shy' naturally
Use 'shy' to describe temporary or situational nervousness (e.g., 'He was shy in front of the crowd') rather than a permanent personality trait. For long-term traits, use 'introverted' or 'reserved'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'schee', meaning 'timid' or 'easily frightened', derived from Old English 'sceoh' (shy, timid), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'schuw' and German 'scheu'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people who feel uncomfortable in social settings. Can be used humorously or affectionately (e.g., 'Don't be shy!'). The verb sense (to flinch) is archaic in everyday speech but persists in animal behavior contexts.