Meanings
plural timidities
- countableuncountableThe state of being timid; shyness.
[…] instead of the joyous voices of his playfellows he hears the rough commands of an unindulgent master or a scolding mistress; — he is continually reproached for his awkwardness and timidity, and reminded of his pauper origin.
1849, Minutes of the committee of council on education, page 821 more example
This willingness to act underscores the German leader’s view that there is much at stake – and that Western Europe’s largest country (both by population and economic power) needs to step up to the demands. Timidity is not an option.
2025 December 18, The [Christian Science] Monitor's Editorial Board, “Germany’s defense of European values”, in The Christian Science MonitorSynonyms: timidness
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe state of being timid; shyness.
More synonyms by meaning
nounfear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
nounfearfulness in venturing into new and unknown places or activities
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Latintimiditātem
- Middle Frenchtimidité
- Englishtimidity
From timid + -ity, from Middle French timidité, from Latin timiditātem.
More words from Middle French, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with timidity
All rhymes →Cite this entry
timidity. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timidity
“timidity.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timidity. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “timidity,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/timidity.
Source: timidity on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.