shy

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Nervous or uncomfortable around other people.

   He is very shy with strangers.

2. 2
   adj

   Slightly less than a particular amount or number.

   Our shipment came up two shy of the amount on the invoice.

3. 3
   verb

   To avoid doing something because of fear, shyness, or embarrassment.

   She tends to shy away from speaking in public.

4. 4
   verb

   Of a horse, to jump back suddenly in fear.

   The horse shied at the unexpected sound of the car.

From Middle English shy (“shy”), from Old English sċēoh (“shy”), from Proto-West Germanic *skeuh (“shy, fearful”), from Proto-Germanic *skeuhaz (“shy, fearful”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian skjou (“shy”), Dutch schuw (“shy”), German scheu (“shy”), Danish sky (“shy”). Etymology tree Middle English shy English shy

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