Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The quality or state of being shy; especially, a shrinking from familiarity or conspicuousness; diffidence; lack of self-assertiveness.
  • noun Synonyms Diffidence, Coyness, etc. See bashfulness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The quality or state of being shy.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality of being shy; a fear of social interactions.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a feeling of fear of embarrassment

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

shy +‎ -ness

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Examples

  • This shyness is hereditary-and, indeed, had not my parents been so shy as they were, I should be standing before you several years older than I am at the moment!

    The Impact of the Jet in World Aviation 1953

  • But she was under the impression that there was a magic in her name and station which would overcome what she described as shyness, but which was in point of fact the frank dislike of her neighbours.

    Jack O' Judgment Edgar Wallace 1903

  • That repose of manner which is commonly believed to be the heirloom of noble birth is seen quite as often in the low-born adventurer, who regards it as part of his stock-in-trade; and there are many women, and men too, whose position might be expected to place them beyond the reach of what we call shyness, but who nevertheless suffer daily agonies of social timidity and would rather face alone a charge of cavalry than make a new acquaintance.

    Sant' Ilario 1881

  • Yes | No | Report from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 12 weeks 6 days ago rampageingapes -- Preventing gun shyness is one thing ... curing a dog who has it is a whole different ball of wax.

    Pro Clinic: What to do When Your Dog Will Not Retrieve 2009

  • Yes | No | Report from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 12 weeks 6 days ago rampageingapes -- Preventing gun shyness is one thing ... curing a dog who has it is a whole different ball of wax.

    Pro Clinic: What to do When Your Dog Will Not Retrieve 2009

  • There's a certain shyness of subway riders that I'm reminded of when I look at this shot.

    Picture Envy #18 - Light and Fog 2005

  • There's a certain shyness of subway riders that I'm reminded of when I look at this shot.

    unbillable hours: 2005

  • I never became intimate with any of my fellow-workers, for I had a certain shyness which I could not overcome, and I spoke a different language which made those around me declare that I was "stuck-up, an 'tryin' to talk stylish."

    Madeleine: An Autobiography Madeleine 1919

  • I will not say as to that all that I think; but I am very glad to be able to speak of it to you in order that you may put your shyness more to one side, if you are still a victim to it – I can use that expression, for shyness is a real affliction.

    The Ruin of a Princess Cl 1912

  • (His shyness is apparently reserved for me and his older sister but not his nanny or his papa.

    moon 2008

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