timid

adjective

tim·​id ˈti-məd How to pronounce timid (audio)
1
: lacking in courage or self-confidence
a timid person
2
: lacking in boldness or determination
a timid policy
timidity noun
timidly adverb
timidness noun

Examples of timid in a Sentence

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.
Cannoli certainly seemed to be timid around dogs who bark a lot, leading Saulino to believe she felt intimidated by them. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Zych was impressed by Lekki’s transformation from timid freshman to inspiring team leader. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 After a timid start to the game from both sides, the intensity picked up considerably as the game went on. Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 For most of the game, though, Love was timid, inaccurate and couldn’t lead Green Bay’s offense anywhere. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for timid

Word History

Etymology

Latin timidus, from timēre to fear

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of timid was circa 1550

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timid. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

timid

adjective
tim·​id ˈtim-əd How to pronounce timid (audio)
: feeling or showing a lack of courage or self-confidence : shy
timidity noun
timidly adverb
timidness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on timid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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