diffident — lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɪfɪdənt/
Example Sentences
- The diffident cat hid under the bed when guests arrived.
- Despite his brilliant ideas, he remained diffident during presentations.
- She gave a diffident wave, as if apologizing for existing.
diffident
ADJECTIVE[/ˈdɪfɪdənt/]
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy
The diffident new hire hesitates before knocking on the manager's office door.
DIF(without) + FID(trust) + ENT(state) — falling into a shrinking state(ENT) completely without(DIF) any trust(FID) in his magic, the wizard looked highly diffident.
Losing his glowing sword, the once proudly confident knight became entirely small and diffident.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'diffidentia', derived from 'diffidere' meaning 'to distrust' or 'lack confidence'. It combines the prefix 'dis-' (away, not) with 'fidere' (to trust).
Breakdown
dis- (not, away) + fid (trust) + -ent (adjective suffix) = diffident
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The diffident cat hid under the bed when guests arrived.”
“Despite his brilliant ideas, he remained diffident during presentations.”
“She gave a diffident wave, as if apologizing for existing.”
“The diffident teenager mumbled his order at the restaurant.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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