shy

/ˈshī/

Middle English schey, going back to Old English scēoh, going back to West Germanic *skeuh(w)a- (whence also Middle High German schiehe, schiech "timid, despondent," and, with alteration or variant ablaut, Middle Dutch scu, scouw "timid"), perhaps extended form of Indo-European *(s)keu̯(H)- "perceive, watch"

adjective

  1. easily frightened : timid

  2. disposed to avoid a person or thing

  3. hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect

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.

verb

  1. to develop or show a dislike or distaste —usually used with from or away from

  2. to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm

noun

  1. a sudden start aside (as from fright)