diffident

/ˈdi-fə-dənt/

Middle English, borrowed from Latin diffīdent-, diffīdens "distrustful, lacking in confidence," from present participle of diffīdere "to lack confidence (in), have no trust (in)," from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis-fīdere "to trust, have confidence (in)," going back to Indo-European *b{sup}h{/sup}ei̯d{sup}h{/sup}- "trust, entrust"

adjective

  1. hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence

  2. reserved, unassertive

  3. distrustful

shy bashful diffident modest coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.