diffident
diffident
Definition
dif·fi·dent (-dənt)
adjective
full of diffidence; lacking self-confidence; timid; shy
Etymology: L diffidens: see diffidence
diffident
Synonyms
diffident
Usage Examples
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!
Browse dictionary entries near diffident
- diffidence
- difficulty
- difficultly
- difficulties
- difficult
- difficile
- differentness
- differently
- differentiation
- differentiating
