WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
tim•id /ˈtɪmɪd/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est.
tim•id•ly, adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- lacking in self-assurance, courage, or boldness:a timid child.
tim•id•ly, adv.
tim•id
(tim′id),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est.
ti•mid′i•ty, tim′id•ness, n.
tim′id•ly, adv.
- lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery;
easily alarmed;
timorous;
shy. - characterized by or indicating fear:a timid approach to a problem.
- Latin timidus fearful, equivalent. to tim(ēre) to fear + -idus -id4
- 1540–50
tim′id•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fearful, fainthearted. See cowardly.
'timidity' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
afraid
- assurance
- chain
- coward
- cowardice
- cowardly
- heroism
- mealy-mouthed
- old-womanish
- pusillanimity
- self-effacement
- self-effacing
- sheepish
- shy
- timorous
- wimp