timid

1 of 2

adjective

tim·id ˈti-məd

Synonyms of timid

: lacking in courage or self-confidence

a timid person

: lacking in boldness or determination

a timid policy

timidity

tə-ˈmi-də-tē

noun

timidly

ˈti-məd-lē

adverb

timidness noun

timidity

2 of 2

noun

ti·mid·i·ty tə̇ˈmidətē

-idətē,

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being timid

the animals have become so accustomed to motor traffic that they have quite lost their natural timidity—James Stevenson-Hamilton

the timidity and conformity of the present day—C. V. Woodward

Examples of timid in a Sentence

Adjective She's very timid and shy when meeting strangers. He gave her a timid smile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

Souleymane, an Afro-German trans man, talented fashion designer and increasingly less timid figure on Berlin’s ballroom scene, travels to Dakar to repair his father’s kora. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 This is a great car for a timid driver, a new driver or perhaps a sensible son or daughter. — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Football is a physical sport, one where an athlete can’t play scared, timid, being cautious, and needs to give his all on every snap. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 Min-ji now understands more about her father’s past and motivations, and no longer sees him as a timid man who would rather bow than fight. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for timid

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin timidus, from timēre to fear

Noun

Latin timiditat-, timiditas, from timidus timid + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of timid was circa 1550

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Timgad

timid

timidity

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timid. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

timid

adjective

tim·id ˈtim-əd

: feeling or showing a lack of courage or self-confidence : shy

timidity

tə-ˈmid-ət-ē

noun

timidly

ˈtim-əd-lē

adverb

timidness noun

timid

adjective

noun

Synonyms of timid

Examples of timid in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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