shy 
shy (s̸hī)
adjective shy′er or shi′er, shy′·est or shi′·est
- easily frightened or startled; timid
- not at ease with other people; extremely self-conscious; bashful
- showing distrust or caution; wary
- not bearing or breeding well, as some plants; unproductive
- ☆ Slang
- not having paid money due, as one's poker ante
- lacking; short (on or of)
Etymology: ME schei, dial. development < OE sceoh, akin to Ger scheu, shy, prob. < IE *skeuk-, harassed (> OSlav ščuti, to pursue); akin to *skeub- > scoff
intransitive verb shied, shy′·ing
- to move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil the horse shied at the gunshot
- to react negatively; be or become cautious or unwilling; draw back: often with at or from
noun pl. shies
an act of shying; start, as of a horse
fight shy of
to keep from; avoid; evade
shy (s̸hī)
transitive verb, intransitive verb shied, shy′·ing
to throw or fling, esp. sideways with a jerk shying stones at a target
Etymology: < ?
noun pl. shies
- the act of shying; fling
- Informal a try or attempt
- Informal a gibe
shy
modif.
shy implies a shrinking from the notice of others and a reticence in approaching them; bashful implies such shyness as is displayed in awkward behavior and embarrassed timidity; diffident implies a lack of self-confidence that makes one reluctant to assert oneself; modest implies a reserved, unassuming manner in one who, because of ability, achievements, etc. might be expected to assert himself or herself strongly and often suggests moderation in behavior, speech, dress, etc.; demure, in current usage, suggests a decorously modest manner, often one that is affectedly so
fight shy of*
Preposition: at
- stump: Pietersen has a shy at the stumps, but misses with the Australian just about making his ground.
Adjective modifier
- coconut: Earlier products had included ice cream spoons, balls for coconut shies, garden labels and toothpicks.
Modifies a noun
- creature: The Sinai rips the facade off - the shy creature can become the leader.
- smile: Behind her, with a shy smile, Aura tapped her shoulder.
- lad: I blame bad man management of a shy lad.
- teenager: I was a shy, frightened teenager for a long time.
- girl: A shy, quiet girl stands in front of a sea of people.
- bird: From a hide overlooking the Giant Petrel colony on the beach, we should have good views of these somewhat shy birds.
Modifying Another Word
- painfully: Some people say he's painfully shy, others think he's arrogant.
- away: He also doesn't shy away from his topics.
- twice: The main crux of my problem is the usual once bitten twice shy thing.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- away: Her eyes gaze out on the scene, but shy away from the dancing figures toward the shadow.
Infinitive complement
- ask: Ask for help: if there are others around you do not be shy to ask for their assistance.
- talk: Many people are too shy to talk in front of others, so lose out on vital practice.
Used with adjective complement
- fight: They indeed seem to fight shy of the words ' intellectual ' , ' cognitive ' or ' cerebral ' .
- bite: What was that about being once bitten twice shy?
- feel: I don't think anyone would feel shy about bringing anything forward.
Preposition: from
- controversy: For not shying away from controversy alone Griffith deserves his merits.
- publicity: Rausing, who lives in an East Sussex mansion, shies away from publicity and has never made his political loyalties known until now.
Preposition: with
- stranger: It tends to be friendly and can be very showy in the ring as it is not shy with strangers.
I amterribly shy, but ofcourse no one believesme.Come to think of it, neither would I.
Hobbits are an unobtrusive but veryancient people, more numerous formerly than theyare today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well- ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favourite haunt Even in ancient days they were, as a rule, shy of 'the Big Folk', as they call us, and now they avoid us with dismay and are becoming hard to find.
Browse dictionary entries near shy
- ‹ shvartze
- ‹ shuttlecock
- ‹ shuttle diplomacy
- ‹ shuttle
- ‹ shutterbug
- ‹ shutter
- ‹ shutout
- ‹ shutdown
- ‹ shut up
- ‹ shut out
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