shyness
n.a feeling of being nervous or uncomfortable when you are around other people. It makes you want to stay quiet or hide when you meet new people.
n.a state of nervousness or hesitation in the presence of others, often resulting in a reluctance to speak or act. It is frequently associated with social anxiety or a lack of confidence.
“She felt a lot of shyness when she met the new boss.”
“The teacher noticed that the student's shyness prevented him from participating in the group discussion.”
“While some view shyness as a social disadvantage, others argue that it can be a protective trait that fosters deep, meaningful conversations rather than superficial small talk.”
From shy + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.