diffidence

/ˈdɪfɪdəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪfɪdəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdi-fə-dən(t)s -fə-ˌden(t)s/ (ame, mw)

diffidence — noun

1. a feeling of doubt about your own skills, opinions, or worth that makes you hold

1.名詞B2
釋義

a feeling of doubt about your own skills, opinions, or worth that makes you hold back from speaking up or taking action in a situation where doing so would be normal.

例句

The student's diffidence during the oral exam cost her a better grade.

collocation: diffidence during [event]

The manager's diffidence about speaking in public kept him from applying for the promotion.

pattern: diffidence about + gerund

同義詞
  • shyness

    Broader term covering social hesitation; diffidence focuses specifically on self-doubt about competence.

  • timidity

    Emphasises fearfulness or reluctance to act, not just low self-assessment.

  • insecurity

    Focuses on anxiety about being judged inadequate rather than a quiet lack of assertion.

  • modesty

    More positive and sometimes voluntary; diffidence implies a hindrance rather than a virtue.

反義詞
  • confidence

    A firm belief in one's own abilities, the direct opposite of diffidence.

  • self-assurance

    Certainty in one's own judgment and skills, often expressed through decisive action.

文法句型

diffidence + about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often found in formal or professional contexts. Unlike shyness — which relates to social hesitation — diffidence specifically describes uncertainty about one's own competence or opinions.

常見錯誤

❌Her diffidence made her shy at parties.
✅Her diffidence made her hesitate to share her opinions during meetings.
💡Diffidence is about lack of confidence in your abilities, not general social shyness.