Shy or not confident, especially in new or difficult situations. A timid person is easily frightened or hesitant to act.
From Latin 'timidus' meaning 'fearful, afraid,' from 'timēre' (to fear). It entered English through Middle French 'timide.' The core idea of fearfulness has stayed remarkably stable.
Timid doesn’t just mean quiet; it means held back by fear. Two people can both be silent, but one is thinking and the other is scared—that’s where 'timid' fits. The word helps separate personality from confidence level.
Women and girls have often been stereotyped as naturally timid or shy, while similar behavior in men might be framed as thoughtful or reserved. This has reinforced expectations that women should be less assertive and penalized them when they are not.
Use 'timid' sparingly and focus on specific behaviors or contexts rather than labeling a person’s character, especially when gender stereotypes might be at play.
["hesitant","reserved","cautious","shy (context-dependent)"]
Feminist and leadership research has highlighted how women’s assertiveness is often misread as aggression while timidity is expected, challenging these double standards.
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