timid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'timid' is correct and is used in written English.
It is an adjective that means to be shy, nervous, or acting in a fearful way. Example sentence: The timid boy was too scared to speak in front of the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Yet, in contrast to the tacit official encouragement of more liberal voices after 9/11, any debate within Saudi Arabia over the role of its official creed in fostering the group's extremism has been timid and largely confined to social media... "The Saudi authorities have been quick to condemn Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I shall try to be less timid; to be more sure, more bold.

The Guardian

Land owners were excoriated, the House of Lords demonised and his more timid colleagues brushed aside.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whether it was through nerves or the heat, Tsonga was strangely timid in the early stages, unable or unwilling to cut loose in his usual swashbuckling style.

The Guardian - Sport

A timid child who tiptoed around his brooding father (as described in the third volume, Boyhood Island), he grew into a cripplingly self-conscious teenager, and then, by his own reckoning, an adult who is seldom happy in the company of others.

The Guardian - Books

They played in different positions and their physical statures couldn't have been more contrasting – Dino was a tall, robust midfielder with short, cropped hair while Roberto was a small, timid, tortured-genius that sported a ponytail with beads at the tip – but Dino would spend a career playing in the shade of the trequartista, purely because they shared a surname.

The Guardian - Sport

Sean O'Faolain considered no one spared: "We see the prostitute, the beastly peasant, the timid bourgeois, the civil servant – his favourite subjects – in an unpitying light that exposes their wrinkled faces, their painted gums, their frayed cuffs, their shifty eyes, their hearts that have dried like peas".

The Guardian - Books

I expect the elderly and the timid will hang on, possibly rebranding the party – perhaps as Liberals.

The Guardian

A timid opposition front bench will have to be dragged kicking and screaming to any proposed increase in tax revenues, or to the abandonment of conservative climate change and social welfare policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

They put Labour on the side of the patient who sits, timid and overawed, in the doctor's waiting room.

The Guardian

"I still don't understand why, even after the last couple of years, Alistair is so timid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, consider using "timid" to highlight their vulnerability and internal struggles, creating a more nuanced portrayal.

Common error

Avoid using "timid" as the sole descriptor of a character. Instead, provide specific actions and internal monologues that illustrate their shyness and fearfulness, making them more relatable and complex.

Linguistic Context

The word "timid" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a lack of courage, confidence, or assertiveness. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples like "a timid child" and "timid politicians."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "timid" effectively describes a lack of courage or confidence, finding common use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the word's proper usage and grammatical correctness. While synonyms like "shy", "fearful", and "diffident" offer nuanced alternatives, "timid" specifically highlights a susceptibility to fear. When writing, avoid over-reliance on "timid" as a singular character trait and instead, illustrate a character's timidity through specific actions and inner thoughts. As examples from The Guardian and The Economist shows, "timid" appears in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fearful

Directly expresses the presence of fear.

diffident

Suggests a lack of self-confidence and a hesitance to assert oneself.

lacking confidence

Focuses on the absence of self-assurance rather than overt fear.

easily frightened

Highlights the susceptibility to fear and alarm.

hesitant

Highlights the reluctance or unwillingness to do something.

apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of unease or anxiety about the future.

unassertive

Indicates a lack of willingness to express one's opinions or needs.

reserved

Indicates a tendency to keep one's thoughts and feelings to oneself.

cautious

Emphasizes the need for carefulness and avoidance of risks.

sheepish

Implies embarrassment or shame, often due to a mistake or foolish act.

FAQs

How can I use "timid" in a sentence?

You can use "timid" to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. For example, "The "timid child" hid behind his mother's leg".

What are some synonyms for "timid"?

Alternatives for "timid" include "shy", "fearful", and "diffident". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "timid" and "shy"?

"Timid" implies a lack of courage and a tendency to be easily frightened, while "shy" suggests a general discomfort in social situations. "Timid" often relates to fear, while "shy" is more about social anxiety.

Is "timid" a positive or negative trait?

Whether "timid" is perceived as positive or negative depends on the context. In some situations, it can be seen as a weakness, while in others, it might indicate caution and thoughtfulness. For example, a "timid approach" to a problem might be more careful.