mindmap root((害羞)) shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others: ~ in front of total strangers. bash implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of immaturity: the ~ boy rarely told us how he felt about anything. diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability, opinion, or powers that causes hesitation in acting or speaking: felt ~ about raising an objection. modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit, or of boldness or self-assertion: very ~ about citing his achievements. coy implies an assumed or affected shyness: don't be misled by her ~ demeanor.