timid
TIH-mihd
Timid (adj) means Easily frightened or lacking confidence, especially in unfamiliar situations. Example: “The timid puppy hid behind the sofa when guests arrived.”
adj
1
Easily frightened or lacking confidence, especially in unfamiliar situations.
"John's a very timid person. I doubt he'll be brave enough to face his brother."
"The timid puppy hid behind the sofa when guests arrived."
"She gave a timid answer, unsure if she was right."
How to use timid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShy or nervous, especially when facing new people or situations.
Common pairings
timid smile
timid voice
shy and timid
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Word forms
- Comparative
- timider, more timid
- Superlative
- timidest, most timid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ puppy hid behind the sofa when guests arrived.
Etymology
From Latin timidus, "full of fear", from timeo, "to fear".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “timid” mean?
The word “timid” means easily frightened or lacking confidence, especially in unfamiliar situations. In plain terms, shy or nervous, especially when facing new people or situations.
How do you pronounce “timid”?
“Timid” is pronounced TIH-mihd (/ˈtɪmɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “timid” in a sentence?
Here is “timid” used in a sentence: “The timid puppy hid behind the sofa when guests arrived.”
What part of speech is “timid”?
“Timid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “timid” come from?
The word “timid” comes from Latin. From Latin timidus, "full of fear", from timeo, "to fear".
Is “timid” a common word?
“Timid” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
