Words / C2

TIM-uh-r-uh-s/ˈtɪmərəs/

Timorous means nervous and easily frightened (literary / formal): a timorous approach, timorous as a mouse. Timid is everyday; trepidation (already in the dictionary) is the noun of dread beforehand. Temerity (already in the dictionary) is the opposite flavour — rash boldness. Do not treat a dated request for the n as timorous fuss.

Meaning

Nervous and easily frightened (literary / formal).

Examples

• “A timorous email does not restore the only CSV.”
• “Timid is everyday. Fearful is close. Trepidation is the dread (already in C2). Temerity is cheeky boldness (already in C2). Feeling is not backup. A calm recovery of the file is the amendment. Asking for the date is not cowardice. Restore first; then soothe.”

Good to know

Fearful; timid (literary). Everyday: timid. Close noun: trepidation (already in C2). Opposite flavour: temerity (already in C2). Feeling ≠ a restored CSV.

Near in meaning

timid

New