timid

/ˈtɪmɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɪmɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈti-məd/ (ame, mw)

timid — adjective

  • timidpositive
  • more timidcomparative
  • most timidsuperlative

1. Someone who is timid feels nervous or worried about doing new things or meeting

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Someone who is timid feels nervous or worried about doing new things or meeting new people, and does not have much self-confidence.

例句

The timid puppy hid behind the sofa whenever a visitor entered the room.

Arjun gave a timid smile and looked down at his shoes.

timid + smile — collocation for shy facial expressions

同義詞
  • shy

    more focused on social awkwardness and discomfort around people; 'timid' covers a broader lack of boldness

  • diffident

    more formal and specifically about lacking confidence in one's own abilities

  • bashful

    suggests a cute or endearing shyness, often in children; less about fear and more about embarrassment

  • meek

    implies a gentle, quiet, and submissive nature; stronger sense of obedience than 'timid'

反義詞
  • bold

    willing to take risks and act confidently, the direct opposite in terms of courage

  • confident

    having belief in one's own abilities; opposite of the self-doubt in 'timid'

  • brave

    able to face danger or pain without fear; opposite in terms of fearlessness

文法句型

timid + noun

be + timid

too + timid + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Timid often describes a person's general character rather than just a temporary feeling. Compare with 'shy,' which can describe either a personality trait or a brief moment of discomfort.

常見錯誤

❌I felt timid when I saw the spider.
✅I felt scared when I saw the spider.
💡'timid' describes a personality tendency toward fear, not a sudden reaction to a specific threat.