bashful

adjective

bash·ful ˈbash-fəl How to pronounce bashful (audio)

: socially shy or timid : diffident, self-conscious

He was bashful as a child.

: resulting from or typical of a bashful nature

a bashful smile

bashfully

ˈbash-fə-lē How to pronounce bashful (audio)

adverb

bashfulness

ˈbash-fəl-nəs How to pronounce bashful (audio)

noun

Did you know?

The Roots of Bashful

The adjective suffix -ful has a number of different senses, most of which have very little to do with "full of." In the case of bashful, -ful means "having the qualities of." This sense of -ful was combined with an obsolete verb bash meaning "to be abashed” (that is, dismayed or embarrassed) to form bashful, which literally means “having the qualities of being abashed.” This combination of a verb with -ful is also seen in mournful, which literally means “having the qualities of mourning.”

Example Sentences

bashful boys asking girls to dance a bashful child who hid in his room whenever there were visitors in the house

Recent Examples on the Web The wheel-and-tire package—featuring staggered 20-inch, 35-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, off the shelf—is downright bashful.

Dan Neil, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 He’s sweet, introspective, a bit bashful and values the ritual of manually flipping tapes and LPs over to start anew — not only an obvious metaphor in a film that trades in them, but clunky foreshadowing too.

Courtney Howard, Variety, 23 June 2022 When your job is to constantly hunt for new restaurants, few things are as thrilling as coming across an intriguing new concept with a bashful name.

Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2022 Camille Weatherspoon may be a bit bashful, but that hasn’t stopped the high school student from getting her products into the hands of grateful customers.

C.r. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2022 During our conversation, Welsh revealed that her bashful, timid nature wasn’t anything new.

Essence, 3 Mar. 2022 San Francisco leaders haven’t been bashful about their hopes to make Treasure Island a playground for the affluent.

Justin Phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2022 Some are calm and bashful while others howl or jump, full of energy.

Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Mar. 2022 And there’s no need to feel bashful about the situation either.

Rozalynn S. Frazier, SELF, 10 Mar. 2022 See More

单词	bashfulness
释义	bashful adjective bash·ful ˈbash-fəl 1 : socially shy or timid : diffident, self-conscious He was bashful as a child. 2 : resulting from or typical of a bashful nature a bashful smile bashfully ˈbash-fə-lē adverb bashfulness ˈbash-fəl-nəs noun Did you know? The Roots of Bashful The adjective suffix -ful has a number of different senses, most of which have very little to do with "full of." In the case of bashful, -ful means "having the qualities of." This sense of -ful was combined with an obsolete verb bash meaning "to be abashed” (that is, dismayed or embarrassed) to form bashful, which literally means “having the qualities of being abashed.” This combination of a verb with -ful is also seen in mournful, which literally means “having the qualities of mourning.” Synonyms backward coy demure diffident introverted modest recessive retiring self-effacing sheepish shy withdrawn See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences bashful boys asking girls to dance a bashful child who hid in his room whenever there were visitors in the house Recent Examples on the Web The wheel-and-tire package—featuring staggered 20-inch, 35-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, off the shelf—is downright bashful. Dan Neil, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 He’s sweet, introspective, a bit bashful and values the ritual of manually flipping tapes and LPs over to start anew — not only an obvious metaphor in a film that trades in them, but clunky foreshadowing too. Courtney Howard, Variety, 23 June 2022 When your job is to constantly hunt for new restaurants, few things are as thrilling as coming across an intriguing new concept with a bashful name. Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2022 Camille Weatherspoon may be a bit bashful, but that hasn’t stopped the high school student from getting her products into the hands of grateful customers. C.r. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2022 During our conversation, Welsh revealed that her bashful, timid nature wasn’t anything new. Essence, 3 Mar. 2022 San Francisco leaders haven’t been bashful about their hopes to make Treasure Island a playground for the affluent. Justin Phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2022 Some are calm and bashful while others howl or jump, full of energy. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Mar. 2022 And there’s no need to feel bashful about the situation either. Rozalynn S. Frazier, SELF, 10 Mar. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Early Modern English bash "to lose composure, be dismayed" (going back to Middle English baishen, basshen, probably aphetic variant of abaissen, abaschen "to abash") + -ful entry 1 First Known Use 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing bashful bashful bladder bashful bladder syndrome bashful bladder bashful bladder syndrome Kids Definition bashful adjective bash·ful ˈbash-fəl 1 : uneasy in the presence of others 2 : showing shyness a bashful smile bashfulness noun as in shyness Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance shyness embarrassment timidity timidness skittishness faintheartedness inhibition timorousness restraint hesitation constraint irresolution discomposure indecision indecisiveness fear anxiety panic irresoluteness worry concern cowardice cowardliness upset dismay apprehension spinelessness alarm cravenness alarum Antonyms & Near Antonyms boldness audacity audaciousness confidence nerve nonchalance assurance insouciance unconcern coolness composure guts fortitude determination firmness cojones fearlessness courage self-assurance spunk self-confidence resolution self-assertiveness decisiveness resoluteness grit intrepidity bravery gumption valor gameness courageousness daring mettle fiber backbone dauntlessness brazenness effrontery temerity intrepidness gall cheek gutsiness doughtiness See More
随便看	heterogeneal heterogeneities heterogeneity heterogeneous heterogeneous ray heterogeneously heterogeneousness heterogeneousnesses Heterogeneratae heterogeneses heterogenetic association heterogenetic induction heterogenies heterogenist heterogenous heterogenous graft heterogeny heteroglossia heterognath Heterognathi heterogone heterogonic carefullest carefully carefulness

bashful

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing bashful

Kids Definition

adjective

noun