diffident

Used with adjective complement

• feel: Language can still be a tricky area and can make people feel diffident in their work.
• seem: This year we particularly want to encourage entries from for-profit service providers, who have seemed diffident about putting themselves forward.

Modifying Another Word

• rather: He distinguishes between the first and second category, tho in a rather diffident manner.
• too: Richard sailed to England but was too diffident to visit his father's relatives.
• very: Building up the courage to visit a doctor You may feel very diffident or even scared at the prospect of going to a doctor.
• not: Knows better, and is not diffident about saying so.
• somewhat: At long last after a somewhat diffident introduction with transport and tanker aircraft Royal Auxiliary Air Force aircrew are now to fly Tornado aircraft.
• even: For twelve years he will remain tentative and perhaps even diffident in the elaboration of his conviction.

Modifies a noun

• man: Yesterday morning, the lock keeper was a diffident young man in his early twenties.
• manner: He distinguishes between the first and second category, tho in a rather diffident manner.
• ally: While the Saudis have been diffident allies in the War on Terror, they are not America's enemies.
• approach: Little more was heard of these diffident approaches from London.
• character: A fairly diffident, languid character, he tends to take most things in his stride.
• way: I look forward to welcoming you all there, in my diffident way!