shy

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

adj. having less than a specific amount or being just under a goal.

adj. falling short of a specified amount, distance, or goal; often used with a measurement.

“We are still ten dollars shy of the total we need for the tickets.”

“The marathon runner finished just a few seconds shy of the world record, despite the challenging weather conditions.”

C1 · Advanced Politics Technical

adj. describing voters who do not want to tell people who they are voting for.

adj. referring to voters who are less likely to reveal their true intentions to pollsters, potentially skewing election predictions.

“Polls were wrong because many shy voters didn't admit who they supported.”

“Political analysts often struggle to account for the 'shy voter' factor, which can lead to significant discrepancies between exit polls and final results.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to move away from something suddenly because you are afraid or nervous.

v. to start suddenly aside through fright; to recoil or avoid something due to caution or lack of confidence.

“The horse shied at the loud noise and nearly threw the rider off.”

“Investors often shy away from emerging markets during periods of global economic instability, preferring the perceived safety of established currencies.”

C2 · Proficiency British English · Literary

v. to throw something with a quick, sudden movement.

v. to fling or toss something with a swift, sideways motion.

Español:lanzar

“He shied a stone across the surface of the quiet lake.”

“The children spent the afternoon shying pebbles at the old tin cans they had lined up along the garden wall.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Informal

n. the act of throwing something.

n. a quick throw or toss; an act of flinging.

“Have a shy at the coconut and see if you can win a prize.”

“At the village fair, every participant was allowed one shy at the target for a chance to win the grand hamper.”