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.
Trump could instead lead with Vice President JD Vance’s promise: Boost the Child Tax Credit to $5,000 per child for young families, a progressive idea submitted by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) last week in a timid insurgency by Republican moderates who prefer to lift middling Americans. Bruce Fuller, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2025 Thus far this season, Sheppard, averaging 11.6 minutes per game, has struggled to get acclimated, often appearing timid and indecisive with the basketball. Rahat Huq, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Some have shared their tips on how the video's creator could approach the timid canine. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar Key Cast: Yami Gautam Dhar, Pratik Gandhi, Eijaz Khan, Prateik Babbar, Mukul Chadda A high-energy adventure following a timid momma’s boy and a daring wild child who find themselves on the run from ruthless goons on their wedding night. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near timid

Cite this Entry

“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timid. Accessed 21 Feb. 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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