What does "shy" mean?

1. (nervous with people) feeling nervous or uncomfortable when you are around other people. 2. (short of an amount) having less than a specific amount or being just under a goal. 3. (voters hiding intentions) describing voters who do not want to tell people who they are voting for. 4. (to avoid or jump back) to move away from something suddenly because you are afraid or nervous. 5. (to throw) to throw something with a quick, sudden movement. 6. (a throw) the act of throwing something.

How do you use "shy"?

often used with the preposition 'away' as in 'shy away from'.

shy

adj. · v. · n.

US //ˈʃaɪ// UK //ʃˈaɪ// shy

1 nervous with people (adj.)
A2 Elementary

feeling nervous or uncomfortable when you are around other people.

disinclined to familiar social approach; reserved or timid in the presence of others.

Example

The shy boy hid behind his mother when the guests arrived at the house.

Example

Despite her professional success as a public speaker, she remained remarkably shy in small, informal social gatherings.
- timid
- reserved
- bashful
2 short of an amount (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

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

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

Example

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

Example

The marathon runner finished just a few seconds shy of the world record, despite the challenging weather conditions.
- over
- surplus

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3 voters hiding intentions (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Politics

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

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

Example

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

Example

Political analysts often struggle to account for the 'shy voter' factor, which can lead to significant discrepancies between exit polls and final results.
- reticent
- unforthcoming
4 to avoid or jump back (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

Example

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

Example

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

Usage

often used with the preposition 'away' as in 'shy away from'.
- confront
- face
5 to throw (v.)
C2 Proficiency British English Literary

to throw something with a quick, sudden movement.

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

Example

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

Example

The children spent the afternoon shying pebbles at the old tin cans they had lined up along the garden wall.
- catch
6 a throw (n.)
C2 Proficiency British English Informal

the act of throwing something.

a quick throw or toss; an act of flinging.

Example

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

Example

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

Origin

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

Word family

Nounshyness
Adjectiveshy

Idioms3 entries