Word
Definition
adj. shy and nervous. You use this to describe someone who lacks confidence and is easily frightened.
adj. showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened. Often used to describe personality traits or hesitant actions.
Examples
“The timid child hid behind her mother's legs.”
“He gave a timid knock on the door, unsure if he was actually welcome at the party.”
“Investors remained timid despite the positive economic reports, fearing that the market's recent stability was merely a temporary pause before another significant downturn.”
Examples
simple
“The timid child hid behind her mother's legs.”
contextual
“He gave a timid knock on the door, unsure if he was actually welcome at the party.”
complex
“Investors remained timid despite the positive economic reports, fearing that the market's recent stability was merely a temporary pause before another significant downturn.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'appear'.
Etymology
From Middle French timide, from Latin timidus (“full of fear, fearful, timid”), from timeō (“to fear”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/timid
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0