Cool MateMeaning of Shy
In simple words: Not comfortable in social situations; quiet and reserved.
Shy in a sentence
- She is too shy to speak in front of the class.
- Don't be shy; everyone is friendly here.
- The shy dog hid behind its owner during the party.
- He's quite shy when meeting new people for the first time.
- Being shy can sometimes make it difficult to make friends.
How to use Shy
Use 'shy' to describe someone who feels nervous around others. It's appropriate in most contexts but may sound overly informal in serious settings. Use 'reserved' or 'introverted' for more formal descriptions.
Grammar pattern
standalone adjective
Memory hint
Think of a shy person hiding behind a large 'S' (like a shadow) in a crowded room.
Related words
Synonyms for Shy
Common mistakes with Shy
- Confusing 'shy' with 'bashful' (not synonymous in all contexts)
- 'Shy' can be used to describe animals as well, which some learners might miss.
- Using 'shy' inappropriately with uncountable nouns, e.g., 'She's very shy people.' (should be 'person')
Shy appears in
Shy in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
خجول
غير مرتاح في المواقف الاجتماعية؛ هادئ ومتحفظ.
- Bengaliবাংলা
লাজুক
সামাজিক পরিস্থিতিতে স্বচ্ছন্দ নয়; চুপচাপ এবং সংযত।
- GermanDeutsch
Schüchtern
Nicht wohl in sozialen Situationen; ruhig und zurückhaltend.
- SpanishEspañol
Tímido
No se siente cómodo en situaciones sociales; callado y reservado.
- Persianفارسی
خجالتی
راحت نبودن در موقعیتهای اجتماعی؛ ساکت و کمحرف بودن.
- FrenchFrançais
Timide
Pas à l'aise en société ; calme et réservé.
- Hindiहिन्दी
शर्मीला
सामाजिक परिस्थितियों में सहज महसूस न करना; शांत और संकोची।
- ItalianItaliano
Timido/a
Non a proprio agio nelle situazioni sociali; tranquillo/a e riservato/a.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Tímido(a)
Não se sente à vontade em situações sociais; quieto(a) e reservado(a).
- RussianРусский
Робкий, застенчивый
Некомфортно чувствующий себя в социальных ситуациях; тихий и сдержанный.
- Urduاردو
شرمیل، جھجھکنے والا
سماجی حالات میں آرام دہ محسوس نہ کرنا؛ خاموش اور الگ تھلگ رہنا۔
- Chinese中文
害羞
在社交场合不自在；安静和内向。
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Frequently asked questions about Shy
What does Shy mean?
Not comfortable in social situations; quiet and reserved.
What is the definition of Shy?
nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people
How do you use Shy in a sentence?
She is too shy to speak in front of the class.
Can you give another example of Shy?
Don't be shy; everyone is friendly here.
What are synonyms for Shy?
Common alternatives include timid.
What is the opposite of Shy?
Opposite meanings include outgoing, confident, bold.
What words go with Shy?
It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, around, of, with.
What are common mistakes when using Shy?
Confusing 'shy' with 'bashful' (not synonymous in all contexts) 'Shy' can be used to describe animals as well, which some learners might miss. Using 'shy' inappropriately with uncountable nouns, e.g., 'She's very shy people.' (should be 'person')
How do you pronounce Shy?
US: /["/ʃaɪ/"]/, UK: /["/ʃaɪ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use Shy?
Use 'shy' to describe someone who feels nervous around others. It's appropriate in most contexts but may sound overly informal in serious settings. Use 'reserved' or 'introverted' for more formal descriptions.
What CEFR level is Shy?
"Shy" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.