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shy1

shy1

 
 
pronunciation:
shaI
parts of speech:
adjective, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: shier, shyer, shiest, shyest
definition 1: reserved or ill at ease with other people; bashful.
She's too shy to talk to people at parties.
 
synonyms:
bashful, diffident, reserved, timid
antonyms:
bold, confident, obtrusive
similar words:
chary, demure, ill at ease, introvert, meek, reticent, retiring, self-conscious
definition 2: easily startled or frightened; timid.
A shy horse should not be ridden near traffic.
synonyms:
skittish, timid, timorous, tremulous
antonyms:
bold
similar words:
coy, fearful, jumpy, mousy, nervous
definition 3: wary or suspicious.
She was shy of her rather shady landlord.
synonyms:
cautious, chary, distrustful, leery, suspicious, wary
antonyms:
trustful
similar words:
anxious, apprehensive, uneasy
definition 4: deficient or falling short of an expected or necessary amount or number.
The team is still shy a few players, so they may not be able to compete this year.
synonyms:
lacking, scant, short, under
similar words:
deficient, wanting
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part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: shies, shying, shied
definition 1: of horses, to jump or move suddenly, as if startled or frightened.
similar words:
balk, bolt, flinch, freak, jump, rear, start, startle, swerve, veer
definition 2: to draw back or away from, as in fear or distrust (often fol. by "away").
I tried to pet the cat, but it shied away.He tends to shy away from demanding social situations.
synonyms:
recoil, shrink, start
similar words:
blench, cower, flinch, freak, quail, wince
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
inflections: shies
definition: an act of shying.
synonyms:
recoil, start
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: shyly (adv.), shyer (n.), shyness (n.)
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  character, personality