What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inhibited
Example
She felt inhibited to speak up in front of the large audience. [inhibited: adjective]
Example
His inhibited behavior prevented him from making new friends. [inhibited: past participle]
timid
Example
The timid child was afraid to speak to strangers. [timid: adjective]
Example
She felt too timid to ask for a raise at work. [timid: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Timid is more commonly used than inhibited in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Inhibited is more commonly used in academic or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inhibited and timid?
Inhibited is generally considered more formal than timid, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
