Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for diffident

diffident

[ dif-i-duhnt ]

adjective

  1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

    Synonyms: unassuming, modest, abashed, self-conscious

  2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
  3. Archaic. distrustful.


diffident

/ ˈdɪfɪdənt /

adjective

  1. lacking self-confidence; timid; shy
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈdiffidence, noun
  • ˈdiffidently, adverb
Discover More

Other Words From

  • dif·fi·dent·ly adverb
  • dif·fi·dent·ness noun
  • non·dif·fi·dent adjective
  • un·dif·fi·dent adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffident1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin diffīdent- (stem of diffīdēns “mistrusting, despairing,” present participle of diffīdere ), equivalent to dif- dif- + fīd- “trust” + -ent- -ent
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffident1

C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust
Discover More

Synonym Study

See shy 1.
Discover More

Example Sentences

He was charming, diffident but above all very friendly, with no airs or graces.

Every study ever performed has shown that the fit and lean outlive the dumpy and diffident every time.

“I have a bit of a reputation as a grim reaper,” she says, with her typically diffident smile.

Obama seemed equally diffident in his East Room news conference last week.

And, on a global level, the usually diffident IMF is proposing that banks be subject to special punitive taxes.

And, incidentally, to encourage retiring and diffident lady interviewers.

He seemed diffident, but it was evident that he did not wish her to go, and once more she felt that he aroused her curiosity.

He reached out and touched my hand––a fleeting, diffident touch––and gently answered, “Ay, lad; your feet will stray.”

He pushed the diffident greenness back, and went whistling rudely across the lands.

If the tyrannous day of our fathers had but possessed the means of these our more diffident times!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


diffidencediffidently