shrinking violet

Also found in: Idioms, Wikipedia.

shrink·ing violet

(shrĭng′kĭng)
n. Informal
A shy or retiring person.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

shrinking violet

n
informal a shy person
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

shrink′ing vi′olet


n.
a shy or self-effacing person.
[1925–30]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

shrinking violet

- Violets actually shrink as if they become shy, giving us this term.
See also related terms for shy.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.shrinking violet - someone who shrinks from familiarity with othersshrinking violet - someone who shrinks from familiarity with others
shy person
coward - a person who shows fear or timidity
wallflower - remains on sidelines at social event
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

shrinking violet

n (inf: = shy person) → schüchternes Pflänzchen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
EILIS LACEY (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Ireland in Brooklyn (tonight, BBC1, 10.20pm).
WATCH IT
Princess Anne, like her brother, was described as not a 'shrinking violet'
Prince Charles joked to pal 'shall I go gay?' during quest to find royal bride; EXCLUSIVE: The Prince Of Wales was apparently unimpressed by his choice of options
As McGinn proved when he first played for Scotland, he is no shrinking violet when it comes to the big occasion.
Magic McGinn makes mark
SHRINKING violet Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) works in the toy section of a department store in Carol (tonight, Channel 4, 9pm).
WATCH IT
O'Riordan is no shrinking violet and it just shows how tough the game is down there that he got such a serious injury.
IT was a bad weekend [...]
Raj, no shrinking violet himself, now aims to give the company the reputation for being behind some of the most decadent and lavish ceremonies in the UK.
WE LOVE REALITY
THIS Treacle Toffee large tote PS48, is roomy enough for all your essentials, from Betty & Walter (www.bettyandwalter.com) NO SHRINKING VIOLET...
Floral notes; The first blooms of spring may still be a little way off so inject some flower power into your life with these colourful buys, writes EMMA JOHNSON
Mike Dean's on the blower today, and the Wirral Whistler's no shrinking violet. Stan James' 4/5 about OVER 45 points is the gold among the day's short prices.
DEAN'S A RED MENACE
While Berlin frontwoman Terri Nunn has never been a shrinking violet, here the hetero-flexible songstress is going full sex bomb.
Berlin: Animal
The company stated that the two films in question are the Witches of OZ - based on the works of author L Frank Baum, and Radio Rebel from Danielle Joseph's novel Shrinking Violet.
Image Entertainment signs agreement with MarVista Entertainment for two films
The comedian and actor has never exactly been a shrinking violet, and he's already discussed his many faults and achievements in two volumes of autobiography.
Russell: 'I'd love to be a dad'
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.