shy
adj.adj. feeling nervous or uncomfortable when you are around other people. You might find it hard to talk to strangers or be the center of attention.
adj. characterised by a lack of self-confidence or a hesitant disposition in social situations. Often describes a person who avoids social interaction or public scrutiny.
She is very shy and rarely speaks in class.
The candidate was too shy to engage in the aggressive debates required for a successful political campaign.
While some interpret his quiet nature as being shy, it is actually a calculated reserve intended to prevent his opponents from predicting his next legislative move.
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
Typically functions as a gradable adjective; often followed by the preposition 'about' when referring to a specific activity.
He is very shily.He is very shy.Learners sometimes try to add an adverbial suffix to the adjective when describing a state of being.