bashful

16 3.2

Shy and easily embarrassed, avoiding attention

adjective
/ˈbæʃfəl/

: tímido

The newcomer was a tall and somewhat bashful-looking man.

And then you know, we're always so bashful and so we have to be me.

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Examples

Abruptly, she raised the bouquet to her nose, covering a bashful smile.

Fiction book (1994)
So when a person is bashful, they hang back not because they, you know, really have a just estimate of themselves.
I have spoken to you so much about this that you should not now be bashful with me.

Fiction book (1991)
The world wouldn't last very long if everyone were as bashful as you.

Fiction book (1995)
The film links Jacob's fate with that of his sweetheart Anna, a beautiful, bashful girl.

Academic text (1999)
From under her brow, Katrina looks up at Alain and breaks into a big bashful smile.

Fiction book (1998)
Despite her many talents, she remains bashful and hesitant to perform in front of others.
At the party, he felt bashful and chose to stay in the corner rather than join the conversation.
He's often bashful around new people, preferring to listen rather than speak.

Synonyms

embarrassed

vsbashful

490 1.1

Feeling awkward, shy, or ashamed because of something you did

is more about unwillingness to attract attention, not just one event

shy

vsbashful

414 1.0

Nervous and likely to avoid people or new situations

also feels this way but especially avoids being noticed

awkward

vsbashful

102 2.7

Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable in social situations

is similar socially but centers on avoiding notice rather than clumsy discomfort

self-conscious

vsbashful

62 4.6

Feeling nervous because you think others are watching or judging you

is more about avoiding attention than constant self awareness

timid

vsbashful

56 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

is shyness focused on avoiding notice rather than fearfulness

withdrawn

vsbashful

25 4.8

Someone who is quiet and prefers to be alone instead of being with others

is quieter too but more about reluctance to be seen than isolation

reticent

vsbashful

16 7.9

Not willing to talk about thoughts or feelings easily

is more about avoiding attention and embarrassment than silence

sheepish

vsbashful

9 4.0

Feeling embarrassed and a little shy because of a mistake

is more about general reluctance to be noticed rather than a single shameful moment

diffident

vsbashful

4 8.0

Shy and not confident about speaking or acting in front of others

shares low assertiveness but centers more on not seeking attention

abashed

vsbashful

3 7.2

Feeling embarrassed and awkward after making a mistake or being corrected

is about general shyness rather than a reaction to a single event

shamefaced

vsbashful

1 6.5

Feeling or showing shame and embarrassment

is shyness without the moral or guilt implication

blushy

vsbashful

1 4.9

Having red cheeks easily when you feel embarrassed or shy

is similar socially but focuses on avoiding notice rather than blushing

shilly

vsbashful

Archaic

1 9.9

Feeling shy and unsure about what to do

means the same modern shyness but without the dated tone

blate

vsbashful

Literature

9.9

A person who is shy and avoids attention in social situations

is similarly reluctant to be noticed but in common general use

Antonyms

confident

759 2.5

Feeling sure about yourself or what will happen

outgoing

40 3.0

Friendly and confident when talking to other people

How Shy

withdrawn

25 4.8

timid

56 3.5

shy

414 1.0

bashful

16 3.2

reserved

29 3.7

Surface Forms

bashful positive

bashfuller comparative

bashfullest superlative

Morphology

bashful = bash (semi-transparent) = bash + ful

The suffix '-ful' clearly marks 'full of', but the verb 'bash' in the sense 'to embarrass' is less familiar and 'bash' has other common senses, so the relation may not be obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Bashful comes from the old verb bash, which meant 'to embarrass' and is related to abash. So, to be bashful is to be 'full of bash', meaning easily shy or embarrassed.