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Glite Dictionary
diffidence

diffidence

2 8.4
Shyness and lack of confidence that makes someone hesitate to speak or act
  • noun
  • /ˈdɪfɪdəns/
translation icon : timidez
  • Due to his natural diffidence, he often hesitated to raise his hand in class.

Those who rely on reason, who are more in touch with reality, are less confident about things right, fear and and diffidence.

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Examples

  • Beneath Atlee's quiet diffidence and modesty was an iron core, an iron core of self belief and granite hard purpose, which Ivor admired tremendously.

  • Johanna got along well with Anna, who shared her diffidence regarding their mother-in-law.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Then, at first with some diffidence, we did so.

    Academic text (1996)

  • It's time you lost a little of that diffidence, don't you think?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • All the diffidence and boyish charm she remembers have long since disappeared.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • But I found myself reluctant, and when my guests had left, their mood somewhat dampened by my diffidence, I wondered why.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Her diffidence made it difficult for her to speak in front of large groups of people.

  • Despite his talent, diffidence kept him from pursuing opportunities in the spotlight.

Synonyms

self-doubt
vsdiffidence
21 4.6

Not feeling sure about what you can do or your decisions

shows outward hesitation to act or speak rather than only inner uncertainty
reticence
vsdiffidence
10 7.8

A feeling of not wanting to speak or share thoughts

hesitates to speak because of modesty or low confidence rather than chosen silence
bashfulness
vsdiffidence
1 3.9

Being shy and easily embarrassed around other people

is more about hesitating to act or speak from inner lack of confidence
self-distrust
vsdiffidence
6.8

Feeling unable to rely on your own choices or skills

is hesitation rooted in modest reserve rather than deep negative view of judgment
timorousness
vsdiffidence
9.3

A strong fear of trying new things or meeting new people

is hesitation from modest reserve or lack of confidence rather than general fear

Antonyms

confidence
456 2.1

A belief that you can do something well

confidence
419 1.9

A belief that you can rely on someone or something

assertiveness
8 4.6

The quality of being confident and direct when saying what you think or want

How Shy

timidity
7 5.8
diffidence
2 8.4
bashfulness
1 3.9
reticence
10 7.8
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

diffidence singular
diffidences plural

Morphology

diffidence = diffident (transparent) = diffident + ence

A regular nominalization from the adjective 'diffident' using the productive suffix '-ence', so the meaning 'the state of being diffident' is directly derived.

Etymology

Diffidence comes from the Latin verb diffidere, which is made of dis- meaning 'not' and fidere meaning 'to trust'. So diffidence is literally 'not trusting' and is the opposite of being confident, which is why it means shyness or a lack of self-confidence.