SHY (shied, shier, shiest, shyer, shyest)

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does shy mean? 

• SHY (noun)
  The noun SHY has 1 sense:

1. a quick throw

  Familiarity information: SHY used as a noun is very rare.

• SHY (adjective)
  The adjective SHY has 4 senses:

1. lacking self-confidence
2. easily startled or frightened
3. short
4. wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things

  Familiarity information: SHY used as an adjective is uncommon.

• SHY (verb)
  The verb SHY has 2 senses:

1. start suddenly, as from fight
2. throw quickly

  Familiarity information: SHY used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHY (noun)

Meaning:

A quick throw

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he gave the ball a shy to the first baseman

Hypernyms ("shy" is a kind of...):

throw (the act of throwing (propelling something through the air with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist))

• SHY (adjective)

Meaning:

Lacking self-confidence

Synonyms:

shy; unsure; timid; diffident

Context examples:

stood in the doorway diffident and abashed / problems that call for bold not timid responses / a very unsure young man

Similar:

unconfident (lacking or marked by a lack of confidence)

Meaning:

Easily startled or frightened

Similar:

timid (showing fear and lack of confidence)

Meaning:

Short

Context example:

eleven is one shy of a dozen

Similar:

deficient; insufficient (of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Meaning:

Wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things

Context example:

shy of strangers

Similar:

wary (marked by keen caution and watchful prudence)

• SHY (verb)

Meaning:

Start suddenly, as from fight

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "shy" is one way to...):

jump; start; startle (move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Meaning:

Throw quickly

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "shy" is one way to...):

throw (project through the air)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something