bashful
4 synonyms and 5 antonyms for bashful, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Shy and easily embarrassed, especially around other people.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use bashful
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
bashful smile
bashful grin
feel bashful
Etymology
Formed in the 1500s by clipping abashed and adding -ful, "full of."
Full origin of bashful →Frequently asked questions
What does “bashful” mean?
The word “bashful” means shy and easily embarrassed, especially around other people. In plain terms, shy, timid, and easily made to feel awkward or embarrassed.
How do you pronounce “bashful”?
“Bashful” is pronounced BASH-fuh ([ˈbæʃfəɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “bashful” in a sentence?
Here is “bashful” used in a sentence: “The bashful boy hid behind his mother when guests arrived.”
What is another word for “bashful”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bashful” include shy, blushful and sheepish.
What part of speech is “bashful”?
“Bashful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “bashful” come from?
The word “bashful” dates back to around 1500. Formed in the 1500s by clipping abashed and adding -ful, "full of.".
