shy Definition
- 1nervous or timid in the company of other people
- 2having a disposition to avoid contact or familiarity with others
Using shy: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shy" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She's too shy to speak up in public.
Example
He's always been shy around girls.
Example
The cat is shy and hides under the bed when guests come over.
shy Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with shy
Example
Don't shy away from asking for help if you need it.
Example
The company fell shy of its sales target for the year.
Example
He suffers from shy bladder syndrome and can't use public restrooms.
Origins of shy
from Old English 'sceoh', meaning 'timid, easily frightened'
Summary: shy in Brief
The adjective 'shy' [ʃaɪ] describes a person who is nervous or timid in social situations, often avoiding contact with others. It can be used to describe a person's disposition, as in 'He's always been shy around girls.' 'Shy' also appears in phrases like 'shy away from,' meaning to avoid doing something due to fear or uncertainty, and 'shy of,' meaning slightly less than. A related condition is 'shy bladder,' where a person is unable to urinate in the presence of others.
