timidity

English

Etymology

From timid +‎ -ity, from Middle French timidité, from Latin timiditātem.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɪˈmɪdɪti/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪdɪti

Noun

timidity (countable and uncountable, plural timidities)

1. The state of being timid; shyness.
   • 1849, Minutes of the committee of council on education, page 82:

     […] instead of the joyous voices of his playfellows he hears the rough commands of an unindulgent master or a scolding mistress; — he is continually reproached for his awkwardness and timidity, and reminded of his pauper origin.

   • 2025 December 18, The [Christian Science] Monitor's Editorial Board, “Germany’s defense of European values”, in The Christian Science Monitor‎:

     This willingness to act underscores the German leader’s view that there is much at stake – and that Western Europe’s largest country (both by population and economic power) needs to step up to the demands. Timidity is not an option.

Synonyms

• timidness

Translations

state of being timid — see timidness