bashful
Reluctant around strangers
Bashful means shy or easily embarrassed, especially in social situations.
A bashful person avoids attention, blushes readily, or hesitates to speak up: He gave a bashful smile when complimented.
The word suggests innocence or endearing awkwardness rather than social anxiety.
Bashful is one of the seven dwarfs in Disney's *Snow White*.
Lacking courage or confidence
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
- coyAffectedly modest
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
self-conscious · introverted · withdrawn · retiring · reserved · mousy · shrinking · unassertive
Unassuming about oneself
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- down-to-earthPractical and without pretension
understated · simple · plain · subdued · restrained · low-key · mild · soft-spoken
Uncomfortably aware of oneself
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- uncertainNot firmly known
doubtful · unconfident · fearful · apprehensive · embarrassed · inadequate · sensitive · timorous
Emotionally distant, disengaged
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- hermiticSeeking complete seclusion
- secludedSet apart, private
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
private · antisocial · asocial · sequestered · isolated · aloof · standoffish · guarded
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
reticent · self-conscious · introverted · withdrawn · retiring · reserved · mousy · shrinking · unassertive · inhibited
humble
Unassuming about oneself
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
down-to-earth · understated · simple · plain · subdued · restrained · low-key · mild · soft-spoken · gentle
self-conscious
Uncomfortably aware of oneself
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
uncertain · doubtful · unconfident · fearful · apprehensive · embarrassed · inadequate · sensitive · timorous · flustered
withdrawn
Emotionally distant, disengaged
cloistered · private · antisocial · asocial · sequestered · isolated · aloof · standoffish · guarded · unapproachable
flirtatious
Playfully romantic in manner
- playfulInclined toward fun
- coquettishPlayfully alluring in manner
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
kittenish · arch · mischievous · alluring · evasive · sly · charming · beguiling · impish · whimsical
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- introvertsintrovert, introverted, shy, reserved, loner
- infatuationcrush, infatuation, infatuated, smitten, first love
- lovingloving, adoring, affectionate, amorous, caring
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
bashfuloutgoing
Sociable and unreserved
extroverted · gregarious · sociable · extraverted · social
- bashful bladderUrination anxiety around others