diffident

adjective

dif·fi·dent ˈdi-fə-dənt How to pronounce diffident (audio)

-ˌdent

: hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence

: reserved, unassertive

archaic : distrustful

diffidently adverb

Did you know?

What is an antonym of diffident?

Diffident and confident are etymologically related antonyms, perched at opposite ends of a scale of self-assurance. Both words trace back to the Latin verb fīdere, which means "to trust." Diffident arose from a combination of fīdere and the prefix dis-, meaning "the absence of"; it has been used to refer to individuals lacking in self-trust since the 15th century. Confident arose from confīdere, a term created by combining fīdere with the intensifying prefix con-. That term has been used for self-trusting folks since at least the late 16th century. Fīdere puts the trust in several other English words too, including fidelity and fiduciary.

Example Sentences

Being suspicious of conventions, demotic equals were often at a loss in their daily encounters: shall one act diffident or clamant of one's rights?

Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000 Whatever made him diffident at the prospect of having a military strike ordered in his defense, he kept it to himself.

George Stephanopoulos, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 1999 "It's Indianapolis 500," Andrew said with a polite smile, pleasing me with his diffident correction.

Camille Minichino, The Lithium Murder, 1999 … a boy of 8 or 13, gazing foursquare at the camera, diffident but showing off, petulant but vulnerable …

Walker Percy, New York Times Book Review, 11 Oct. 1987 She was diffident about stating her opinion. for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life See More

Recent Examples on the Web Earl is quiet and diffident, except to express surprisingly right-wing politics.

Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 But others will see a diffident official response to the attack and will want their children defended by people who know and care about them: their teachers, neighbors, families, and themselves.

W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 27 May 2022 Critics marveled at the intimacy this apparently diffident figure could create.

New York Times, 20 Apr. 2022 Klosterman’s appraisal of the ’90s’ legacy, while limited in some ways (there could have been more about hip-hop, for example, which Klosterman admits), is an engaging, nuanced and literate take on the alternately dynamic and diffident decade.

Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2022 Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has been a diffident figure so far.

New York Times, 28 Jan. 2022 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie.

Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie.

Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 See More

diffident

adjective

as in shy

not comfortable around people for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

shy
withdrawn
bashful
sheepish
introverted
coy
lone
demure
modest
backward
self-effacing
retiring
awkward
unassertive
embarrassed
recessive
reserved
unsociable
unsocial
antisocial
unadventurous
uneasy
unenterprising
uptight
self-conscious
inhibited
lone-wolf

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

extroverted
outgoing
gregarious
immodest
extraverted
companionable
sociable
convivial
social
forceful
bold
clubbable
boon
dashing
brash
uninhibited
unreserved
forward
clubable
overbold

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of diffident are bashful, coy, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

Although the words bashful and diffident have much in common, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

The meanings of coy and diffident largely overlap; however, coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

The synonyms modest and diffident are sometimes interchangeable, but modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

In some situations, the words shy and diffident are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

单词	diffident
释义	diffident adjective dif·fi·dent ˈdi-fə-dənt -ˌdent 1 : hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence 2 : reserved, unassertive 3 archaic : distrustful diffidently adverb Did you know? What is an antonym of diffident? Diffident and confident are etymologically related antonyms, perched at opposite ends of a scale of self-assurance. Both words trace back to the Latin verb fīdere, which means "to trust." Diffident arose from a combination of fīdere and the prefix dis-, meaning "the absence of"; it has been used to refer to individuals lacking in self-trust since the 15th century. Confident arose from confīdere, a term created by combining fīdere with the intensifying prefix con-. That term has been used for self-trusting folks since at least the late 16th century. Fīdere puts the trust in several other English words too, including fidelity and fiduciary. Synonyms backward bashful coy demure introverted modest recessive retiring self-effacing sheepish shy withdrawn See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Being suspicious of conventions, demotic equals were often at a loss in their daily encounters: shall one act diffident or clamant of one's rights? Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000 Whatever made him diffident at the prospect of having a military strike ordered in his defense, he kept it to himself. George Stephanopoulos, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 1999 "It's Indianapolis 500," Andrew said with a polite smile, pleasing me with his diffident correction. Camille Minichino, The Lithium Murder, 1999 … a boy of 8 or 13, gazing foursquare at the camera, diffident but showing off, petulant but vulnerable … Walker Percy, New York Times Book Review, 11 Oct. 1987 She was diffident about stating her opinion. for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life See More Recent Examples on the Web Earl is quiet and diffident, except to express surprisingly right-wing politics. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 But others will see a diffident official response to the attack and will want their children defended by people who know and care about them: their teachers, neighbors, families, and themselves. W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 27 May 2022 Critics marveled at the intimacy this apparently diffident figure could create. New York Times, 20 Apr. 2022 Klosterman’s appraisal of the ’90s’ legacy, while limited in some ways (there could have been more about hip-hop, for example, which Klosterman admits), is an engaging, nuanced and literate take on the alternately dynamic and diffident decade. Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2022 Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has been a diffident figure so far. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2022 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, borrowed from Latin diffīdent-, diffīdens "distrustful, lacking in confidence," from present participle of diffīdere "to lack confidence (in), have no trust (in)," from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis- + fīdere "to trust, have confidence (in)," going back to Indo-European b^hei̯d^h- "trust, entrust" — more at faith entry 1 First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3 Kids Definition diffident adjective dif·fi·dent ˈdi-fə-dənt 1 : lacking confidence With encouragement he became less diffident. 2 : cautious about acting or speaking "Speak out, my boy—don't be diffident." Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer* diffident adjective as in shy not comfortable around people for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance shy withdrawn bashful sheepish introverted coy lone demure modest backward self-effacing retiring awkward unassertive embarrassed recessive reserved unsociable unsocial antisocial unadventurous uneasy unenterprising uptight self-conscious inhibited lone-wolf Antonyms & Near Antonyms extroverted outgoing gregarious immodest extraverted companionable sociable convivial social forceful bold clubbable boon dashing brash uninhibited unreserved forward clubable overbold See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of diffident are bashful, coy, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking. felt diffident about raising an objection Although the words bashful and diffident have much in common, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. a bashful boy out on his first date The meanings of coy and diffident largely overlap; however, coy implies a pretended shyness. put off by her coy manner The synonyms modest and diffident are sometimes interchangeable, but modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. modest about her success In some situations, the words shy and diffident are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. shy with strangers
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diffident

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser