Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started
  • For Individuals
  • For Teachers

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

timid

/ˈtɪmɪd/
adjective★Intermediate— shy or lacking confidence
informal

Showing a lack of confidence or courage; shy or hesitant.

The timid child hid behind his mother when strangers approached.

The child was too shy to interact with unfamiliar people.

He gave a timid smile when asked to present his work.

He smiled nervously, showing his lack of confidence.

💡

Often used to describe someone who is easily intimidated or avoids attention.

Collocations

timid smilea nervous or hesitant smiletimid voicea soft or hesitant way of speakingtimid approacha cautious or hesitant way of doing something

Synonyms

shyhesitantnervousbashfulretiring

Antonyms

boldconfidentassertiveoutspokenbrave

Related Phrases

timidlyadverb
in a shy or hesitant manner

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'timid' to describe someone who is shy or lacks confidence, often in social situations.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While 'timid' is useful, avoid using it excessively to describe people, as it can sound negative.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'tymyd,' possibly from Old French 'timide,' from Latin 'timidus,' meaning 'fearful,' from 'timere' (to fear).

📝Usage Notes

Often used to describe people who are easily intimidated or avoid attention. Can also describe actions or behaviors that are hesitant or lacking in confidence.

Word Breakdown

tim-
fear or dread
root
+
-id
suffix indicating state or condition
suffix
English Dictionary

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →

Recent Lookups

The most recent words being looked up. Stay up to date with what language learners are exploring.