timid
Lacking in nerve
Timid describes a tendency toward fear or hesitation, especially in social situations or when facing risk.
A timid person shrinks from confrontation, avoids bold action, and may be easily startled or intimidated: She gave a timid wave from across the room.
The word suggests a disposition rather than a momentary state—someone who is timid by nature, not just afraid in the moment.
Troubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- scaredFeeling fear or alarm
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
alarmed · terrified · cowardly · spooked · jittery · skittish · uneasy · panicky
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- retiringLeaving the workforce
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
sheepish · reserved · coy · modest · demure · blushing · embarrassed · insecure
Readily yielding to control
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- passiveNot actively participating
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
obedient · deferential · self-effacing · unassuming · mild · tame · subdued · acquiescent
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waryGuardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
careful · prudent · leery · chary · reluctant · overcautious · risk-averse · noncommittal
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- scaredFeeling fear or alarm
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
nervous · alarmed · terrified · cowardly · spooked · jittery · skittish · uneasy · panicky · fearful
bashful
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- retiringLeaving the workforce
withdrawn · sheepish · reserved · coy · modest · demure · blushing · embarrassed · insecure · unconfident
submissive
Readily yielding to control
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- passiveNot actively participating
compliant · obedient · deferential · self-effacing · unassuming · mild · tame · subdued · acquiescent · spineless
hesitant
Slow to act
circumspect · careful · prudent · leery · chary · reluctant · overcautious · risk-averse · noncommittal · faltering
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
- introvertsintrovert, introverted, shy, reserved, loner
- playstylesaggressive, defensive, passive, casual, competitive
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- body language descriptorsopen, closed, tense, relaxed, stiff
timidbrave
Showing courage despite fear
bold · fearless · courageous · intrepid · dauntless
timidassertive
Confidently self-assured
bold · confident · self-assured · self-confident · outgoing
timiddaring
Adventurous courage
audacious · bold · adventurous · venturesome · venturous
- timid as a mouseExcessively shy and fearful
- timid as a rabbitExtremely shy and fearful
- timid soulFearful, hesitant person
intimidate, timidity, intimidating, intimidation, timidly, intimidated, timorous, intimidates, timidness