Shy Word Meaning

Old English scēoh ‘(of a horse) easily frightened’, of Germanic origin; related to German scheuen ‘shun’, scheuchen ‘scare’; compare with eschew. The verb dates from the mid 17th century

nervous or timid in the company of other people

nervous or timid in company of other people

• I was pretty shy at school
• a shy smile

less than; short of

less than

• the shares are 29p shy of their flotation price

(of a plant) not bearing flowers or fruit well or prolifically.

(of plant) not bearing flowers or fruit well or prolifically

(especially of a horse) start suddenly aside in fright at an object, noise, or movement

start suddenly aside in fright at object

• their horses shied at the unfamiliar sight

a sudden startled movement, especially of a frightened horse.

sudden startled movement