timorous

adjective

tim·o·rous ˈti-mə-rəs How to pronounce timorous (audio)

ˈtim-rəs

: of a timid disposition : fearful

reproached myself with being so timorous and cautious

Daniel Defoe

: expressing or suggesting timidity

proceed with doubtful and timorous steps

Edward Gibbon

timorously adverb

timorousness noun

Did you know?

Timid and timorous don't just have similar spellings and meanings; they are etymologically related as well. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin verb timēre, meaning "to fear." The immediate ancestor of timid is Latin timidus (with the same meaning as timid), whereas timorous traveled to Middle English by way of the Latin noun timor ("fear") and the Medieval Latin adjective timorosus. Timid may be the more common of the two words, but timorous is older. It first appeared in English in the mid-15th century; timid came on the scene a century later. Both words can mean "easily frightened" (as in "a timid mouse" or "a timorous child") as well as "indicating or characterized by fear" (as in "he gave a timid smile" or "she took a timorous step forward").

Example Sentences

a shy and timorous teenager He spoke with a timorous voice.

Recent Examples on the Web Democratic moderates are often portrayed by the left as timorous figures reluctant to take strong stands for fear of political retribution.

Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2022 At the time Russia revealed their new new weapon, U.S. national security thinkers did an obligatory round of timorous handwringing, but, other than that, the U.S. was largely—and strangely—silent.

Craig Hooper, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 The hospital industry has been timorous about transparency since the first large-scale quality survey was conducted by the American College of Surgeons back in 1919.

Michael L. Millenson And J. Matthew Austin, STAT, 24 May 2022 Abetted by the timorous LeFou (a funny John Sygar), Gaston schemes to bend Belle to his will.

Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2021 All artists, even those who appear to be timorous, quavering messes, have a core of steel.

David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 17 Dec. 2020 All artists, even those who appear to be timorous, quavering messes, have a core of steel.

David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 17 Dec. 2020 Orange County’s chief health officer quit after receiving death threats and little backing from a timorous Board of Supervisors.

Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2021 See More

单词	timorous
释义	timorous adjective tim·o·rous ˈti-mə-rəs ˈtim-rəs 1 : of a timid disposition : fearful reproached myself with being so timorous and cautious Daniel Defoe 2 : expressing or suggesting timidity proceed with doubtful and timorous steps Edward Gibbon timorously adverb timorousness noun Did you know? Timid and timorous don't just have similar spellings and meanings; they are etymologically related as well. Both words ultimately derive from the Latin verb timēre, meaning "to fear." The immediate ancestor of timid is Latin timidus (with the same meaning as timid), whereas timorous traveled to Middle English by way of the Latin noun timor ("fear") and the Medieval Latin adjective timorosus. Timid may be the more common of the two words, but timorous is older. It first appeared in English in the mid-15th century; timid came on the scene a century later. Both words can mean "easily frightened" (as in "a timid mouse" or "a timorous child") as well as "indicating or characterized by fear" (as in "he gave a timid smile" or "she took a timorous step forward"). Synonyms fainthearted fearful fearsome mousy mousey scary shy skittish timid tremulous See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a shy and timorous teenager He spoke with a timorous voice. Recent Examples on the Web Democratic moderates are often portrayed by the left as timorous figures reluctant to take strong stands for fear of political retribution. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2022 At the time Russia revealed their new new weapon, U.S. national security thinkers did an obligatory round of timorous handwringing, but, other than that, the U.S. was largely—and strangely—silent. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 The hospital industry has been timorous about transparency since the first large-scale quality survey was conducted by the American College of Surgeons back in 1919. Michael L. Millenson And J. Matthew Austin, STAT, 24 May 2022 Abetted by the timorous LeFou (a funny John Sygar), Gaston schemes to bend Belle to his will. Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2021 All artists, even those who appear to be timorous, quavering messes, have a core of steel. David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 17 Dec. 2020 All artists, even those who appear to be timorous, quavering messes, have a core of steel. David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 17 Dec. 2020 All artists, even those who appear to be timorous, quavering messes, have a core of steel. David Salle, The New York Review of Books, 17 Dec. 2020 Orange County’s chief health officer quit after receiving death threats and little backing from a timorous Board of Supervisors. Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2021 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, from Medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor fear, from timēre to fear First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition timorous adjective tim·o·rous ˈti-mə-rəs : easily frightened : fearful timorous adjective as in timid easily frightened sensational news stories that seem designed to needlessly alarm an already timorous public Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance timid fearful shy scary terrified tremulous scared mousy afraid fainthearted mousey yellow skittish startled pusillanimous fearsome craven cowardly panicked apprehensive anxious gutless poltroon alarmed unheroic spineless nervous dastardly lily-livered horrified spooked chicken panicky jumpy chickenhearted jittery unnerved spooky shocked terrorized panic-stricken milk-livered chicken-livered Antonyms & Near Antonyms daring hardy bold adventurous brave venturesome courageous venturous audacious intrepid gallant gutsy undaunted valiant dauntless adventuresome heroic dashing fearless valorous confident stouthearted heroical stalwart stout resolute assured plucky lionhearted unflinching doughty spirited determined undeterred firm unswerving greathearted self-assured self-confident mettlesome spunky game See More
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timorous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective