What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mousy
Example
She was a mousy girl who always kept to herself. [mousy: adjective]
Example
He spoke in a mousy voice, barely audible above the noise. [mousy: adjective]
shy
Example
She's too shy to speak in public. [shy: adjective]
Example
He's always been a bit shy around strangers. [shy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shy is more commonly used than mousy in everyday language. Shy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mousy is less common and may be considered outdated or offensive in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mousy and shy?
Both mousy and shy are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, shy is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including formal ones, while mousy is more limited in its usage and may be considered inappropriate in certain situations.
