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nounnounadjective

il timido

shy

Definition & meaning

Timido means shy or timid: nervous or reserved around other people, especially in unfamiliar situations.

It can also describe something hesitant, faint, or modest, such as a tentative smile or a small initial effort.

Grammar & Word origin

An adjective with four forms: masculine timido, feminine timida, masculine plural timidi, and feminine plural timide. It comes from Latin timidus, meaning “fearful” or “shy,” from timere, “to fear.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • riservato — “reserved”; suggests a preference for privacy, not necessarily shyness.
  • impacciato — “awkward” or “ill at ease”; emphasizes clumsiness or discomfort.
  • estroverso — “outgoing”; describes someone who readily engages with others.
  • audace — “bold”; contrasts with the hesitant or timid sense.

Common phrases & collocations

  • essere timido — to be shy
  • un sorriso timido — a shy or tentative smile
  • un timido tentativo — a tentative attempt

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Examples

Il ragazzo timido non parla molto in classe.adjective

The shy boy does not speak much in class.

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