diffident
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Related to diffident: enfranchise
diffident
hesitant to assert oneself; timid
Not to be confused with:
different – dissimilar; unlike; separate and distinct
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
dif·fi·dent
(dĭf′ĭ-dənt, -dĕnt′)adj.
Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid: He was too diffident to express his opinion.
[Middle English, from Latin diffīdēns, diffīdent-, present participle of diffīdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fīdere, to trust; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots.]
dif′fi·dent·ly adv.
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.
diffident
(ˈdɪfɪdənt)adj
lacking self-confidence; timid; shy
[C15: from Latin diffīdere to distrust, from dis- not + fīdere to trust]
ˈdiffidence n
ˈdiffidently adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
dif•fi•dent
(ˈdɪf ɪ dənt)adj.
1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
2. hesitant or tentative in manner; reserved.
3. Archaic. distrustful.
[1425–75; late Middle English < Latin diffīdent-, s. of diffīdēns, present participle of diffīdere to lack confidence =dif- dif- + fīdere to trust (see faith)]
dif′fi•dence, n.
dif′fi•dent•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Adj. | 1. | diffident - showing modest reserve; "she was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture" reserved - marked by self-restraint and reticence; "was habitually reserved in speech, withholding her opinion"-Victoria Sackville-West |
2. | ![]() confident - having or marked by confidence or assurance; "a confident speaker"; "a confident reply"; "his manner is more confident these days"; "confident of fulfillment" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
diffident
adjective shy, reserved, withdrawn, reluctant, modest, shrinking, doubtful, backward, unsure, insecure, constrained, timid, self-conscious, hesitant, meek, unassuming, unobtrusive, self-effacing, sheepish, bashful, timorous, unassertive She was diffident and reserved in meetings.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
diffident
adjectiveThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
عَديم الثِّقَه بِنَفْسِهِ
bázlivýnesmělý
skyusikker
óframfærinn
nepasitikėjimas saviminepasitikintis saviminetvirtai
biklsnedrošs
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
diffident
[ˈdɪfɪdənt] adj → qui manque d'assurance, peu sûr(e) de soito be diffident → manquer d'assurance, être peu sûr(e) de soi
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
diffident
adj → zurückhaltend, bescheiden; smile → zaghaft; he was diffident about offering his help → er hat zaghaft seine Hilfe angeboten
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
diffident
[ˈdɪfɪd/ənt] adj (person) → poco sicuro/a di sé; (smile) → timido/a, imbarazzato/ato be diffident about doing sth → esitare a fare qc
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
diffident
(ˈdifidənt) adjective not confident.
ˈdiffidently adverbˈdiffidence noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.