timid
Other forms: timidest; timider
Timid means "overly cautious or fearful," like a timid driver who drives very slowly or avoids highways altogether.
Timid comes from the Middle French word timide, meaning "easily frightened, shy." Those who are timid often worry that things will go wrong: a timid eater orders bland food to avoid the possibility not liking the flavor of something new, just as a timid partygoer talks to people he already knows, afraid that he won't be able to talk to strangers.
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showing fear and lack of confidencesynonyms:unadventurouslacking in boldnessafraidfilled with fear or apprehensionunassertiveinclined to timidity or lack of self-confidencebackward(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring naturebashfulself-consciously timidcoymodestly or warily rejecting approaches or overturesantonyms:boldfearless and daringforwardused of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modestyaudacious, brave, dauntless, fearless, hardy, intrepid, unfearinginvulnerable to fear or intimidationemboldenedmade bold or courageousnervyshowing or requiring courage and contempt of dangerovervalianthaving or showing undue valor or boldnessbrave, courageouspossessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
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lacking self-confidence
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lacking conviction or boldness or couragesynonyms: faint, faint-hearted, fainthearted
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people who are fearful and cautious
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Vocabulary lists containing timid
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