bashful

[ bash-fuhl ]

adjective

1. uncomfortably diffident and easily embarrassed; shy; timid.

   Synonyms: modest, abashed

2. indicative of, accompanied by, or proceeding from bashfulness.

bashful

/ ˈbæʃfʊl /

adjective

1. disposed to attempt to avoid notice through shyness or modesty; diffident; timid
2. indicating or characterized by shyness or modesty

Derived Forms

• ˈbashfulness, noun
• ˈbashfully, adverb

Other Words From

• bashful·ly adverb
• bashful·ness noun
• over·bashful adjective
• over·bashful·ly adverb
• over·bashful·ness noun
• un·bashful adjective
• un·bashful·ly adverb
• un·bashful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bashful¹

First recorded in 1540–50; (a)bash + -ful

Word History and Origins

Origin of bashful¹

C16: from bash , short for abash + -ful

Synonym Study

See shy ¹.

Example Sentences

Perhaps you’ll be asked to act in a moving-picture show, participate in a mustache contest, take a drawing class, help a gang rob a bank or inspire a bashful Calico resident to ask a lady to the afternoon hoedown.

From Los Angeles Times

"Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl."

From BBC

Perhaps you’ll be asked to act in a moving-picture show, participate in a mustache contest, take a drawing class, help a gang rob a bank or inspire a bashful Calico resident to ask a lady to the afternoon hoedown.

From Los Angeles Times

My point is, you got to own who you are and you don't have to be bashful or ashamed of anything about who you are and what you represent.

From Salon

"You got to own who you are and you don't have to be bashful or ashamed of anything about who you are and what you represent."

From Salon

Related Words

• confused
• coy
• diffident
• embarrassed
• reticent
• self-conscious
• sheepish
• timid