Meaning of the word shy

See also: Shy

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English shy (“shy”), from Old English sċēoh (“shy”), from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh (“shy, fearful”), from Proto-Germanic *skeuhaz (“shy, fearful”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian skjou (“shy”), Dutch schuw (“shy”), German scheu (“shy”), Danish sky (“shy”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ʃaɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ
• Homophone: Chi

Adjective[edit]

shy (comparative shier or shyer or more shy, superlative shiest or shyest or most shy)

1. Easily frightened; timid.

   • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, (please specify |part=I, II, III or IV):

     The horses of the army, and those of the royal stables, having been daily led before me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting.

2. Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:shy

   Antonyms: audacious, bold, brazen, gregarious, outgoing

   He is very shy with strangers.

   • 1712, John Arbuthnot, The History of John Bull:

     What makes you so shy, my good friend? There’s nobody loves you better than I.

   • 2015 October 30, The Graham Norton Show, Season 18, Episode 6:

     Graham Norton: But the people coming up to you now, like the Americans, well, you know, the Americans, they’re not shy, the Americans.
     Maggie Smith: No. Well, no but I don’t go anywhere where really they can get at me. It’s usually in museums and art galleries and things, so that limits things. I keep away from there, and Harrod’s I don’t go near.

3. Cautious; wary; suspicious.

   • 16, [Samuel Butler], Hudibras. The , London; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge: University Press, 1905, →OCLC, canto 1:

     We grant, although he had much wit,
     H’ was very shy of using it;
     As being loth to wear it out,
     And therefore bore it not about,

   • 1641, Henry Wotton, The Characters of Robert Devereux and George Villiers

     Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of their successors.

   • 1661, Robert Boyle, Some Considerations Touching Experimental Essays in General

     I am very shy of building any thing of moment upon foundations

4. (informal) Short, insufficient or less than.

   By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount.

   It is just shy of a mile from here to their house.

   • 2013, Terence Winter, The Wolf of Wall Street, spoken by Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio):

     The year I turned 26, as the head of my own brokerage firm, I made $49 million, which really pissed me off because it was three shy of a million a week.

   • 2018 December 1, Tom Rostance, “Southampton 2 — 2 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     United move seventh — still six points off a Champions League place and a massive 16 shy of the lead held by rivals Manchester City.

5. Embarrassed.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

Usage notes[edit]

• Often used in combination with a noun to produce an adjective or adjectival phrase.
• Adjectives are usually applicable to animals (leash-shy «shy of leashes» or head shy «shy of contact around the head» (of horses)) or to children.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

• bashful
• reserved
• timid
• demure
• coy

Verb[edit]

shy (third-person singular simple present shies, present participle shying, simple past and past participle shied)

1. (intransitive) To avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.

   I shy away from investment opportunities I don’t understand.

2. (intransitive) To jump back in fear.

   The horse shied away from the rider, which startled him so much he shied away from the horse.

3. (transitive) To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling.

   to shy a stone

   shy a slipper

   • 1857, [Thomas Hughes], “How the Tide Turned”, in Tom Brown’s School Days. […], Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Macmillan & Co., →OCLC, part II, page 248:

     Then two or three boys laughed and sneered, and a big brutal fellow, who was standing in the middle of the room, picked up a slipper, and shied it at the kneeling boy, calling him a snivelling young shaver.

   • 1868 January 4 – June 6, [William] Wilkie Collins, “First Period. The Loss of the Diamond (1848). […]”, in The Moonstone. A Romance. […], volume I, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], published 1868, →OCLC, chapter VI, page 78:

     «I was thinking, sir,» I answered, «that I should like to shy the Diamond into the quicksand, and settle the question in that way.»

4. (Scottish) (transitive) or (intransitive) To throw a ball with two hands above the head, especially when it has crossed the side lines in a football (soccer) match. To hit the ball back into play from the sidelines in a shinty match.

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

shy (plural shies)

1. An act of throwing.

   • Foker discharged a prodigious bouquet at her, and even Smirke made a feeble shy with a rose, and blushed dreadfully when it fell into the pit

   • 1846, Punch Volume 10

     If Lord Brougham gets a stone in his hand, he must, it seems, have a shy at somebody.

   • 2008, James Kelman, Kieron Smith, Boy, Penguin 2009, p. 55:

     The game had started. A man was chasing the ball, it went out for a shy.

2. A place for throwing.

   coconut shy

3. A sudden start aside, as by a horse.
4. In the Eton College wall game, a point scored by lifting the ball against the wall in the calx.
5. (Scottish) In soccer, a throw-in from the sidelines, using two hands above the head. In shinty, the act of tossing the ball above the head and hitting it with the shaft of the caman to bring it back into play after it has been hit out of the field.

Derived terms[edit]

• coconut shy
• have a shy

Translations[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

• Hys, hys, syh

Britannica Dictionary definition of SHY

[also more shy; most shy]

Britannica Dictionary definition of SHY

[no object]

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s rated to support 1,450 pounds, so don’t be shy about bolting a hearty machinist vise or even a drill press to the top.


—Jack Baruth, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023




Halfway through, the band breaks into a flashy fusion-esque breakdown complete with a mini drum solo, rounding out a portrait of an extreme metal band that’s not shy about flaunting its considerable chops.


—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 28 Mar. 2023




Throughout their relationship, the pair have not been shy about sharing their romance with fans on social media.


—Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2023




Over the years, Spoelstra has not been shy about late-season rotation and lineup changes.


—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2023




Warren hasn’t been shy about trying to influence the Fed.


—Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Mar. 2023




There’s no squabbling, no overheated rhetoric—but Cornish isn’t shy about digging in.


—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2023




Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has never been shy about criticizing the NBA’s officiating.


—Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023




Edoga isn’t shy about sharing his favorites and what he’s seen on Twitter.


—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 22 Mar. 2023

Kyle Tucker signs a contract extension Astros general manager Dana Brown didn’t shy away from discussing the potential for contract extensions with a number of players this offseason, though a deal with Cristian Javier was the only one to come to fruition.


—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 29 Mar. 2023




Universities should start introducing quantum information much sooner in the curriculum, and K-12 schools should not shy away from introducing some basic quantum concepts at an early age.


—Olivia Lanes, Scientific American, 15 Mar. 2023




The Colts hold the No. 4 pick in April’s NFL draft, and the team’s top three decision-makers — owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen — haven’t shied away from the suggestion that the franchise plans to draft its quarterback of the future.


—Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2023




The Colts hold the No. 4 pick in April’s NFL draft, and the team’s top three decision-makers — owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen — haven’t shied away from the suggestion that the franchise plans to draft its quarterback of the future.


—The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023




Or at least a rebellious version of it that later became loosely tied to conservative politics and didn’t shy away from some of the problematic symbols of the South.


—Ben Finley, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2023




Try to avoid patterns that are too big or busy, but don’t shy away from softer prints like gingham.


—Kathryn Pagel, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023




Former President Donald Trump cast himself Saturday as the only Republican candidate who can build on his White House legacy but shied away from directly critiquing his potential rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.


—Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2023




Chula Vista residents expected its city representatives to do more for them by retaining its Welcoming City status and not shying away from its commitment to immigrants and refugee residents with an opaque decision-making process.


—Pedro Rioscommunity Voices Contributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2023

But Jefferson, on an instant replay review, was ruled down by contact about a half-yard shy of the goal line.


—Mark Maske, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Nov. 2022




Jones had a career-high four RBIs and finished a single shy of the cycle, and Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer as the Astros beat Seattle 15-1 on Saturday.


—Kristie Rieken, Chron, 21 Aug. 2021




At the Coliseum, Paul Blackburn held Baltimore to four hits in eight innings and Matt Chapman (3-for-3, two walks) fell a single shy of the cycle.


—Sporting Green Staff, SFChronicle.com, 2 July 2020


See More

V. i.54 (121,7) [as shy, as grave, as just, as absolute] _As shy_; as reserved, as abstracted: _as just_; as nice, as exact: _as absolute_; as complete in all the round of duty. ❋ Samuel Johnson (1746)

Most experts suggest that the term «shy» should not be used as a label. ❋ Dr. Peter Nieman (2011)

William Sears, a well-known author and pediatrician, feels very strongly that the term «shy» should be avoided. ❋ Dr. Peter Nieman (2011)

Los Angeles had lost a seventh game to Boston four times previously — but those teams didn’t have Bryant, who’s just one title shy of Michael Jordan’s six rings after winning his second title without Shaquille O’Neal, his partner in the first three. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Lee came into the game one win shy of matching the record set by Orlando «El Duque» Hernandez for the best start to a postseason career. ❋ The Huffington Post News Team (2010)

July 1947 and was discharged in February 1949, serving almost four years total — 36 years shy from the 40 he claims. ❋ Unknown (2010)

No matter how much cash the central bank pumps into the banking system, money isn’t circulating to the broader economy as companies and individuals remain shy about borrowing, analysts say. ❋ Megumi Fujikawa (2010)

Ohio State slowly floated to the top of the Big Ten, winning the regular season championship, tournament championship and falling one win shy of the second 30-win season in the history of the program. ❋ Unknown (2010)

His writing didn’t shy from the big big plots, which I love. ❋ Joshenglish (2009)

They added Anderson to their O-line mix after losing Ogden, took care of rookie passer Joe Flacco, ran the ball solidly with a troika of backs and fell one win shy of reaching the Super Bowl. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I have often heard us described as ‘shy actors,’ performing ridiculous scenarios and routines in front of Photo Booth, in the quiet of our bedrooms and studios, more often than not in our pajamas. ❋ Julia Pott (2012)

•Key issues: With major help from the defense, QB Joe Flacco fell one win shy of the Super Bowl as a rookie. ❋ Unknown (2009)

The Rays (93-62) are one win shy of tying the 1991 Atlanta Braves for most victories by a team that had the worst record in the majors one year earlier. ❋ Unknown (2008)

They are one win shy of tying the franchise record of 11 straight wins set during the 1988-89 season. ❋ Unknown (2008)

McNabb started sluggishly last season as the knee healed but appeared to recapture his form late, throwing five touchdowns and one interception as the Eagles closed on a three-game winning streak, one win shy of a playoff return. ❋ Unknown (2008)

He took the New Orleans Saints further than they’d ever gone, one win shy of the Super Bowl in a magical 2006 season. ❋ Unknown (2008)

What?He doesn’t like going to [pubs], [drinking] until he doesn’t no what he is doing and then vomiting [blood]?Oh, he must be shy. ❋ Hello Its M D (2008)

Joe: Hey Jack how come you don’t have a girlfriend?
Jack: I’m [too shy] the girls don’t like me
Joe: just be a loud cocky person who is [overconfident] and who listens to bad music and [socialize] with the dumbest people that’ll get you girls dude. ❋ The Kid From San Francisco (2006)

hey beavis… shyness is gay.. uh [huh huh] uh huh huh
[harhar] yea butthead.. it’s pretty gay allright arhar har ehehehehe ❋ Bobbhfh (2008)

That person is shy, and usually backs away from meeting new people.
Ethan: So Max, are you going to ask Kelsey to the dance?
Max: Nah, I’m too shy.
Ethan: [Come on, man], girls don’t like shy guys, just be outgoing instead and it’ll be easy!
Max: … It’s much easier to [talk the talk] than to [walk the walk]. ❋ MrCuddles (2006)

Example:
[Unknown]: Hey, can you [do this] for me?
You: [no because] I’m shy ❋ EveryTimesNow (2017)

To be shy is one of [the biggest] burdens that can [befall] a member of the male [gender] ❋ Shadowdemon (2005)

A: OMG, i [met] this really cute [waiter]! but he was so shy!
S: wow, he was shy? that is [SO hot]. ❋ Sarah And Aoife (2007)

person 1: «That girl that sits behind you in [English class] is like [mute].»
person 2: «Aww don’t say that…she’s really nice. You should talk to her.»
person 1: «Really? Maybe I will….
[Shy girl]: *smiles* ❋ Trust Me… (2009)

He’s a great and outgoing [actor] [on stage]! But so shy when [out of character] at parties.
You’re so shy! ❋ Matsi (2004)

«Yo, bitch! You shy a couple ‘o bucks!
[Fork] [ova] another [twenty]!» ❋ Person Yo-yo (2004)