shy

CEFRA1

/ʃaɪ/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Nervous or uncomfortable around people.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Cautious; wary; suspicious.

Examples

  • Don't be shy about talking to the teacher; if you don't understand, use some initiative!

  • He is not exactly the shy and retiring type.

At a glance

Sits at A1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.

  2. Easily frightened; timid.

  3. Short, insufficient or less than.

More examples

In context

  • Generally, Japanese people are shy.

  • By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.

  • It is just shy of a mile from here to their house.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The new student was very blank and did not want to speak in front of the class.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English shy (“shy”), from Old English sċēoh (“shy”), from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh (“shy, fearful”), from Proto-Germanic *skeuhaz (“shy, fearful”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian skjou (“shy”), Dutch schuw (“shy”), German scheu (“shy”), Danish sky (“shy”). Etymology tree Middle English shy English shy