bashfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bashfully' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'bashfully' when you want to express that someone is behaving in a shy or embarrassed way. For example, you could use the sentence "He smiled bashfully when he received the award."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FAT, red and glossy, The Economist desk diary is, we bashfully admit, a status symbol to which many aspire.

The Economist

These often allow a single family-owned holding company to control a vast array of quoted companies, as the Agnelli family controls Fiat, for example.Perhaps because the influence of institutional investors is so much weaker in continental Europe and Asia, families there seem to intervene more often and less bashfully than in America or Britain.

The Economist

One visitor, a 40-something Adidas-tracksuited man, bashfully discussed his own stencilling ideas.

The Economist

And, of course, it is best to drive at no more than 60 miles per hour something that your correspondent, bashfully, cannot commit to.

The Economist

Although he was involved in hospital radio before that, he bashfully explains that his shows were never broadcast because the transmitter was broken.

Independent

Fink stands bashfully with his guitar alongside violin virtuoso Tom Hobden, Matt Owens, now sporting a long, dishevelled, white barnet, is on bass, and the now-departed Doug Fink – currently training as a doctor, but making a surprise appearance – is performing on drums.

Independent

Remember all those women Gok Wan convinced to parade, knockers-out, around the Arndale Centre with their bodies bouncing bashfully to "Lola's Theme" by Shapeshifters?

Independent

A week ago, my fellow darts-obsessive was Sky Sports's guest at Wembley Arena, making an impressive commentary-box debut alongside the great Sid Waddell before presenting Phil "The Taylor" Power with the Premier League trophy, and bashfully glorying in the freshly minted crowd chant, "Stephen Fry, My Lord, Stephen Fry" (to the tune of "Kumbaya").

Independent

"You're being far too kind to us," says Mumford bashfully during just one of the crowd's eruptive cheers.

Independent

It was like being part of some kind of playful inter-species flirtation: when caught looking, or stared at directly, they'd bashfully dip under the water, only to sneak a peek again as soon as they could.

Independent

It's a very interesting, very distinctive kind of dance," he says, before adding, slightly bashfully: "Very, you know, very erotic actually".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bashfully" to add nuance to descriptions of actions, showing not just how something was done, but also the character's emotional state. For example, "He accepted the compliment bashfully", conveys more than simply "He accepted the compliment".

Common error

Avoid using "bashfully" in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it implies a level of emotional expression that is generally inappropriate for those contexts. Opt for more neutral adverbs unless the intent is to specifically highlight emotional states.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "bashfully" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds a layer of meaning indicating shyness or embarrassment. Examples in Ludwig show it describing actions like admitting, explaining, smiling, or nodding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bashfully" is a grammatically sound adverb used to describe actions performed with shyness or timidity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and accepted in English writing, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for informal and neutral registers where emotional nuance is desired. Common synonyms include "shyly", "timidly", and "sheepishly". Remember to avoid using it in highly formal or technical writing, where a more neutral tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a sheepish way

Uses "sheepish" to describe a similar feeling of being slightly ashamed or embarrassed.

in a shy manner

Replaces the adverb "bashfully" with a prepositional phrase indicating shyness.

with timidity

Uses the noun "timidity" to express the quality of being shy, rather than an adverb.

in an embarrassed way

Emphasizes the feeling of embarrassment as the reason for the behavior.

in a demure fashion

Emphasizes the modesty and reserve in the behavior.

with hesitation

Focuses on the hesitant nature of the action, implying shyness or uncertainty.

in a reserved manner

Highlights the reserved or restrained nature of the behavior.

with a lack of confidence

Explains the underlying reason for acting bashfully: a lack of confidence.

with downcast eyes

Describes a physical manifestation of shyness: avoiding eye contact.

with a blush

Highlights a physical reaction (blushing) associated with bashfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "bashfully" in a sentence?

You can use "bashfully" to describe how someone performs an action in a shy or timid manner. For example, "She smiled "bashfully" when he offered her the flowers".

What are some alternatives to saying "bashfully"?

Alternatives to "bashfully" include "shyly", "timidly", or "sheepishly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "bashfully" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bashfully" is generally more appropriate for informal or creative writing where emotional expression is desired. Formal writing may benefit from more neutral alternatives.

What does "bashfully" mean?

"Bashfully" means in a shy or timid manner, often due to embarrassment or a lack of confidence. It describes how someone acts when they are feeling self-conscious or reserved.