diffident

adjective dif·fi·dent \ˈdi-fə-dənt, -ˌdent\

: lacking confidence : not feeling comfortable around people

: very careful about acting or speaking

Full Definition of DIFFIDENT

: hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence

archaic : distrustful

: reserved, unassertive

— dif·fi·dent·ly adverb

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Examples of DIFFIDENT

Being suspicious of conventions, demotic equals were often at a loss in their daily encounters: shall one act diffident or clamant of one's rights? —Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000
Whatever made him diffident at the prospect of having a military strike ordered in his defense, he kept it to himself. —George Stephanopoulos, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 1999
“It's Indianapolis 500,“ Andrew said with a polite smile, pleasing me with his diffident correction. —Camille Minichino, The Lithium Murder, 1999
… a boy of 8 or 13, gazing foursquare at the camera, diffident but showing off, petulant but vulnerable … —Walker Percy, New York Times Book Review, 11 Oct. 1987
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Origin of DIFFIDENT

Middle English, from Latin diffident-, diffidens, present participle of diffidere to distrust, from dis- + fidere to trust — more at bide

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DIFFIDENT

Synonyms: backward, bashful, coy, demure, shy, introverted, modest, recessive, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish, withdrawn

Antonyms: extroverted (also extraverted), immodest, outgoing

Synonym Discussion of DIFFIDENT

shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others <shy with strangers>. bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence <a bashful boy out on his first date>. diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking <felt diffident about raising an objection>. modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit <modest about her success>. coy implies a pretended shyness <put off by her coy manner>.