Definitions for shy

• Definition
• Anagrams (8)

shy shy

Spelling: [shahy]

IPA: /ʃaɪ/

Shy is a 3 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 9 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 7 points.

You can make 8 anagrams from letters in shy (hsy).

Definitions for shy

noun

1. a sudden start aside, as in fear.
2. a quick, sudden throw.
3. Informal. a gibe or sneer. a try.

Idioms

1. fight shy of, to keep away from; avoid:

adjective

1. bashful; retiring.
2. easily frightened away; timid.
3. suspicious; distrustful:
4. reluctant; wary.
5. deficient:
6. scant; short of a full amount or number:
7. (in poker) indebted to the pot.
8. not bearing or breeding freely, as plants or animals.

verb (used without object)

1. (especially of a horse) to start back or aside, as in fear.
2. to draw back; recoil.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to throw with a swift, sudden movement:

Origin of shy

before 1000; late Middle English schey (adj.), early Middle English scheowe, Old English scēoh; cognate with Middle High German schiech; akin to Dutch schuw, German scheu; cf. Examples for shy

Her lids had dropped; she looked very slim, and young, and shy.

Sallie, he knew, was a friend of the shy, golden-haired sister.

Sabrine was the outgoing, sociable type, and had many friends, while Ziad was shy and a little more introverted.

Not ones to shy away from a fight, the Sailor Senshi defend their leader to the death.

I had thought it would be tough to get Oliona to talk, that she would be shy about her life.

He was a sensitive man, and did not realize that others were sometimes as shy as himself.

Frederica looked so shy, so confused, when we entered the room, that I felt for her exceedingly.

When Tonie Tobias started at Delta in 1996 she was shy and closeted.

And if candidates on the ballot this year are reluctant to campaign alongside Sanders, they are not shy about taking his money.

Such, in truth, was too often the habit of the shy and musing girl.