Emotions / A2

SHEYE/ʃaɪ/

Shy means nervous with people you do not know well: a shy child, too shy to speak, shy at first. Quiet is not always shy — some quiet people are calm, not nervous. Confident is the opposite idea. Shyness is the noun. Do not write sly (cunning — B2) or shine for shy.

Meaning

Nervous with people you do not know well; not confident in groups.

Examples

• “He is shy with new classmates at first.”
• “She is shy about singing in front of the class.”
• “The puppy was shy of new visitors.”

Good to know

a shy child / too shy to. Contrast: quiet (not always nervous). Opposite idea: confident.

Topics

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