adjective shyer shy′er or shier shi′er, shyest shy′·est or shiest shi′·est

1. easily frightened or startled; timid
2. not at ease with other people; extremely self-conscious; bashful
3. showing distrust or caution; wary
4. not bearing or breeding well, as some plants; unproductive
5. ☆ Slang
   1. not having paid money due, as one's poker ante
   2. 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, shying shy′·ing

1. to move suddenly as when startled; jump; start; recoil the horse shied at the gunshot
2. to react negatively; be or become cautious or unwilling; draw back: often with at or from

noun pl. shies