Meaning & use

timid

adjective·Everyday

Lacking courage or confidence; easily frightened or hesitant to act.

See it in a sentence

The timid new intern rarely spoke up during meetings.

She gave a timid smile before slipping quietly out of the room.

A note on using this word

Milder than 'cowardly,' which carries a stronger negative judgment about someone's character.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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