Bashful

/ˈbæʃ.fəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.

She felt bashful about speaking in front of the large crowd.

Easily embarrassed or self-conscious.

His bashful demeanor made it hard for him to make new friends.

Showing or marked by hesitance in social situations.

The bashful child hid behind her mother's leg when introduced to new people.

Characterized by a lack of confidence in social interactions.

Despite her talents, her bashful nature held her back from auditioning.

Middle English 'bashful', from 'bashen' (to bash) + '-ful'.

bashful about something

Feeling shy or reluctant regarding a specific situation.

bashful smile

A shy or timid smile suggesting discomfort or modesty.

shyness

The quality of being reserved or having difficulty in social situations.

timidity

Lack of courage or confidence; being shy.

modesty

The quality of not being too proud or confident about oneself.

Being shy around someone you like.

He's acting all bashful because he has a crush on her.

Feeling nervous or awkward in a social setting.

I get bashful when I'm introduced to new people.