adjective
bashful
BASH-fuh
Bashful (adjective) means Shy and easily embarrassed, especially around other people. Example: “The bashful boy hid behind his mother when guests arrived.”
adjective
1
Shy and easily embarrassed, especially around other people.
"The bashful boy hid behind his mother when guests arrived."
"She gave a bashful smile when he complimented her."
How to use bashful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShy, timid, and easily made to feel awkward or embarrassed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bashful smile
bashful grin
feel bashful
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bashful.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more bashful
- Superlative
- most bashful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ boy hid behind his mother when guests arrived.
Etymology
Formed in the 1500s by clipping abashed and adding -ful, "full of."
Class of 1500
bashful joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.".
