Definition

Noun: A feeling of fear of embarrassment, discomfort, or nervousness in social situations, especially around new people or when receiving attention. It is the state or quality of being shy.

Usage

Shyness is an emotional state or personality trait. It describes a person's tendency to feel awkward, timid, or self-conscious, often leading them to avoid social interactions or to be quiet in groups. It is a common feeling, not a permanent flaw.

Examples

• Her shyness made it difficult for her to speak in front of the class.
• He overcame his childhood shyness to become a confident public speaker.
• A wave of shyness came over her when she was introduced to the famous author.
• There's a difference between quiet introspection and shyness.

Advanced Usage

• "to overcome one's shyness": to successfully become less shy through effort or experience.
  • Joining the drama club helped her overcome her shyness.
• "out of shyness": because of feeling shy.
  • He declined the invitation out of shyness, not dislike.

Variants and Related Words

• Shy (adjective): Having or showing a tendency to be shy.
  • He is a shy child who prefers reading to parties.
• Shyly (adverb): In a shy manner.
  • She smiled shyly from behind her book.

Synonyms

• Timidity: Lack of courage or confidence.
• Bashfulness: Reluctance to draw attention to oneself.
• Reticence: The quality of being reserved.
• Self-consciousness: Undue awareness of oneself, leading to discomfort.

Antonyms

• Boldness
• Confidence
• Extroversion
• Assertiveness

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To have a shy disposition": To have a personality that is naturally prone to shyness.
  • Despite his success, he has always had a shy disposition.
• "To be shy of": This is a different usage meaning to be wary of or lacking a certain amount.
  • He was shy of committing to the project. (Meaning: hesitant)
  • The collection is shy of a complete set. (Meaning: short of)

Noun

1. a feeling of fear of embarrassment