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bashfulness

bashfulness

1 3.9
Being shy and easily embarrassed around other people
  • noun
  • /ˈbæʃfəl.nəs/
translation icon : timidez
  • Despite his intelligence, his bashfulness prevented him from participating in discussions.

Examples

  • In time, her bashfulness extended from being touched to being seen, and finally she could not bear to be seen even by inanimate objects, such as dishes.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Have you no modesty, no maiden shame, no touch of bashfulness?

  • Out of bashfulness, or as a game, they pretend they vaguely know each other.

  • Both works intended only for the elite and works for a broader audience warned against awkward bashfulness.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Have you no modesty, no maiden shame, no touch of bashfulness?

  • "If maybe it's... possible," she whispered, overcome by a sudden new bashfulness, her chin lowered so that she was looking only at the table.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You know me; there are times when I can't contain myself, so despite my reclusive bashfulness, I turned around, faced her, and asked:

    Blog text (20)
  • Personal attributes (e.g., self-acceptance, bashfulness, cooperativeness)

    Academic text (2004)
  • Her bashfulness made it difficult for her to speak in front of the class.

  • He often felt a sense of bashfulness when meeting new people at parties.

Synonyms

humility
vsbashfulness
105 3.8

Being modest and not thinking you are better than other people

expresses modest embarrassment rather than a general humble character trait
modesty
vsbashfulness
27 3.5

Not being proud or bragging about your abilities

is more about modest embarrassment in social settings rather than moral humility
shyness
vsbashfulness
21 2.8

Feeling nervous and uncomfortable around other people

is more about embarrassment from modesty rather than general social nervousness
reticence
vsbashfulness
10 7.8

A feeling of not wanting to speak or share thoughts

is about feeling embarrassed or shy, not only about speaking less
timidity
vsbashfulness
7 5.8

Feeling too shy or afraid to try new things

is less about fear and more about modest embarrassment in social cases
sheepishness
vsbashfulness
1 5.6

A feeling of being embarrassed and shy after making a mistake

is broader, covering quiet embarrassment from modesty as well as mistakes
abashment
vsbashfulness
8.8

A sudden feeling of embarrassment when people look at you

is a general personal modest embarrassment, not only brief sudden discomfort
shamefacedness
vsbashfulness
9.3

A feeling of being embarrassed and sorry after you do something wrong

is milder, often linked to modesty rather than deep shame
mousiness
vsbashfulness
7.2

A quality of being very shy and quiet so you do not attract attention

is similar but centers more on feeling embarrassed because of modesty
timorousness
vsbashfulness
9.3

A strong fear of trying new things or meeting new people

is driven more by modesty and embarrassment than by general fear
demureness
vsbashfulness
7.7

A shy, modest way of behaving that shows being quiet and polite

is more inward embarrassment rather than a composed, decorous public manner
reservedness
vsbashfulness
7.4

Quiet behaviour that does not show feelings or thoughts openly

involves visible embarrassment from modesty rather than only silence or reserve
modestness
vsbashfulness
3.7

Being humble and not showing pride in yourself

is usually a feeling of modest embarrassment rather than a moral stance
unassumingness
vsbashfulness
7.9

Being modest and not showing off

is modest for personal reasons but specifically involves being easily embarrassed
pudency
vsbashfulness
  • Formal
9.9

Shyness about showing your body or talking about sex

is wider, meaning embarrassment in many social situations not only bodily modesty

Antonyms

419 1.9

A belief that you can rely on someone or something

9 3.2

Willingness to take risks and face danger

How Shy

withdrawal
12 6.0
timidity
7 5.8
shyness
21 2.8
bashfulness
1 3.9
reserve
9 5.2

Surface Forms

bashfulness singular
bashfulnesses plural

Morphology

bashfulness = bashful (transparent) = bash + ful + ness

Formed by adding the productive noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'bashful', yielding 'the state of being bashful', a regular and predictable derivation.

Etymology

Bashfulness comes from the old verb abash, which means 'to embarrass' or 'to shame', plus the ending -ful meaning 'full of'. So, bashfulness means being 'full of' shyness or easily embarrassed.