► shynervous and embarrassed about talking to other people, especially people you do not know: Carl is a very quiet shy boy. Eva gave the man a shy smile.
► timid very shy and not brave or confident: He was a timid child who often hid from strangers.
► bashful shy and not willing to say very much: Rachel blushed and gave me a bashful smile.
► self-conscious worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you: I was too self-conscious to be a good actor.
► quiet not usually saying very much: Anna is very friendly and chatty but her husband is very quiet.
► reserved not liking to express your emotions or talk about your problems: James was a quiet, reserved man with few close friends.
► demure formal shy, quiet, and always well-behaved. Used about girls and women: Tammy was quiet and demure.
► introverted formal thinking a lot about your own interests, problems, etc., and not liking to be with other people: She was an introverted person who wasn’t interested in most campus activities.
► retiring formal not wanting to be with other people: Miriam was a shy and retiring woman.