timidity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “timidity” mean?
The quality or state of lacking courage, confidence, or self-assurance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of lacking courage, confidence, or self-assurance; being easily frightened or shy.
A hesitancy or reluctance to act, speak, or assert oneself, often stemming from fear of negative consequences or judgment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects, implying a lack of necessary forcefulness.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written, formal contexts in both regions. Colloquial speech more often uses 'shyness' or phrases like 'lack of confidence'.
Grammar
How to Use “timidity” in a Sentence
Timidity in [doing something]Timidity of [someone]Timidity about [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “timidity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form. Derived adjective: 'timid'.
- No verb form. Derived adjective: 'timid'.
American English
- No verb form. Derived adjective: 'timid'.
- No verb form. Derived adjective: 'timid'.
adverb
British English
- He timidly raised his hand.
- She smiled timidly from the corner.
American English
- He timidly raised his hand.
- She smiled timidly from the back of the room.
adjective
British English
- Her timid demeanour concealed a sharp intellect.
- He gave a timid reply to the inspector's question.
American English
- Her timid demeanor concealed a sharp intellect.
- He offered a timid response to the officer's question.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticized as a leadership flaw; e.g., 'The board cited his timidity in market expansion.'
Academic
Used in psychology, literature, and social sciences to describe personality traits or character motivations.
Everyday
Describing a person's social behavior; e.g., 'She finally overcame her timidity and joined the debate.'
Technical
Rare in hard sciences. May appear in ethology describing animal behavior.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “timidity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “timidity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “timidity”
- Incorrect: 'He has a timidity.' (Correct: 'He has timidity' or 'He is timid.')
- Misspelling: 'timidaty', 'timedity'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shyness' is primarily social and related to interaction with others. 'Timidity' is broader, encompassing a general lack of courage or boldness in action, decision-making, or expression, not just social situations.
Rarely. In most contexts, it is viewed negatively as a lack of necessary assertiveness or courage. However, in very specific contexts (e.g., describing a delicate approach), it might be neutral.
It is a mid-frequency word, more common in written English (literature, academic papers, formal criticism) than in casual everyday speech, where synonyms like 'shyness' or phrases are more frequent.
The adjective form is 'timid'. A timid person displays timidity.
The quality or state of lacking courage, confidence, or self-assurance.
Timidity is usually formal to neutral in register.
Timidity: in British English it is pronounced /tɪˈmɪdəti/, and in American English it is pronounced /təˈmɪdəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Deer in the headlights (metaphor for frozen timidity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TIMID ITY' - A tiny, timid entity. It's the state (-ity) of being timid.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIMIDITY IS A SMALL, HIDDEN CREATURE (e.g., a mouse, a fawn). TIMIDITY IS A BARRIER OR WALL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is closest in meaning to 'timidity' in the context of 'political timidity'?