shy
sheye
Shy (adj) means Nervous or uncomfortable around other people; reluctant to draw attention to oneself. Example: “My little brother is shy with strangers but chatty at home.”
adj
1
Nervous or uncomfortable around other people; reluctant to draw attention to oneself.
"My little brother is shy with strangers but chatty at home."
"He was too shy to ask her to dance."
"The shy new student barely spoke on her first day."
2
Just short of or falling below a stated amount.
"The bag weighed just shy of the airline's limit, so we didn't pay extra."
"He finished a minute shy of the course record."
"The company came in just shy of its sales target."
verb
1
To move back suddenly out of fear or caution.
"The horse shied away from the loud noise."
How to use shy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNervous about social attention, or (informally) just under a certain number.
Common pairings
shy away from
painfully shy
shy of the target
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Word forms
- Plural
- shies
- Third person singular
- shies
- Past tense
- shied
- Comparative
- shier, shyer, more shy
- Superlative
- shiest, most shy, shyest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My little brother is _____ with strangers but chatty at home.
Etymology
From Old English sceoh, "timid, easily frightened."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “shy” mean?
The word “shy” means nervous or uncomfortable around other people; reluctant to draw attention to oneself. In plain terms, nervous about social attention, or (informally) just under a certain number.
How do you pronounce “shy”?
“Shy” is pronounced sheye (/ʃaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shy” in a sentence?
Here is “shy” used in a sentence: “He was too shy to ask her to dance.”
What is another word for “shy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shy” include abashed, backward, bashful, bookish, coy and distant.
What is the opposite of “shy”?
The opposite of “shy” — its antonyms — are audacious, barefaced, brazen, bold and impudent.
What part of speech is “shy”?
Depending on how it is used, “shy” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “shy” come from?
The word “shy” comes from Old English. From Old English sceoh, "timid, easily frightened.".
Is “shy” a common word?
“Shy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "shy" and "introverted"?
Being "shy" means feeling nervous or uncomfortable around other people and reluctant to draw attention to oneself. Being introverted is about preferring quieter, solitary settings to recharge, and an introvert need not feel nervous socially.
What is the difference between "shy" and "timid"?
"Timid" suggests a general lack of courage or a fearful nature in many situations. "Shy" is more specifically about being nervous or self-conscious around other people.
Can "shy" describe more than being nervous around people?
Yes. Besides meaning nervous or reluctant to draw attention, "shy" can mean just short of an amount, as in a week shy of her birthday or an inch shy of a meter.
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