diffident
1Diffident — Dif fi*dent, a. [L. diffidens, entis, p. pr. of diffidere; dif = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith. See {Faith}, and cf. {Defy}.] 1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] You were always extremely diffident… …
2diffident — I adjective abashed, awestricken, awestruck, bashful, blushful, blushing, cautious, demure, deprecating, deprecative, diffidens, embarrassed, fainthearted, faltering, hesitating, humble, humbled, lacking self confidence, modest, overanxious,… …
3diffident — mid 15c., from L. diffidentem (nom. diffidens), prp. of diffidere (see DIFFIDENCE (Cf. diffidence)). Related: Diffidently …
4diffident — modest, bashful, *shy, coy Analogous words: shrinking, flinching, blenching (see RECOIL): hesitant, reluctant (see DISINCLINED): timorous, *timid Antonyms: confident Contrasted words: assured, sure, sanguine, presumptuous (see CONFIDENT): self… …
5diffident — [adj] hesitant; unconfident backward, bashful, blenching, chary, constrained, coy, demure, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, flinching, humble, insecure, meek, modest, mousy, rabbity, reluctant, reserved, retiring, self conscious, self effacing,… …
6diffident — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ lacking in self confidence. DERIVATIVES diffidence noun diffidently adverb. ORIGIN Latin, from diffidere fail to trust …
7diffident — [dif′ədənt] adj. [L diffidens: see DIFFIDENCE] full of diffidence; lacking self confidence; timid; shy SYN. SHY1 diffidently adv …
8diffident — dif|fi|dent [ˈdıfıdənt] adj [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: , present participle of diffidere to distrust , from fidere to trust ] shy and not wanting to make people notice you or talk about you diffident manner/smile/voice etc diffident about …
9diffident — [[t]dɪ̱fɪdənt[/t]] ADJ GRADED Someone who is diffident is rather shy and does not enjoy talking about themselves or being noticed by other people. John was as bouncy and ebullient as Helen was diffident and reserved. Derived words: diffidence… …
10diffident — adjective shy and unwilling to make people notice you or talk about you: He suddenly felt diffident in the presence of these people (+ about): She was diffident about her prize. diffidently adverb diffidence noun (U) …
