51Թ

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View synonyms for

diffident

[ dif-i-duhnt ]

adjective

  1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
  3. Archaic. distrustful.


diffident

/ ˈɪɪəԳ /

adjective

  1. lacking self-confidence; timid; shy
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ徱ڴھԳ, noun
  • ˈ徱ڴھԳٱ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • 徱·ھ·Գ· adverb
  • 徱·ھ·Գ·Ա noun
  • ԴDz·徱·ھ·Գ adjective
  • ܲ·徱·ھ·Գ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of diffident1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin 徱ڴīԳ- (stem of 徱ڴīŧԲ “mistrusting, despairing,” present participle of 徱ڴī ), equivalent to dif- dif- + ī- “trust” + -ent- -ent
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of diffident1

C15: from Latin 徱ڴī to distrust, from dis- not + ī to trust
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Synonym Study

See shy 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Conservative leadership contender James Cleverly claims he has been "underestimated" throughout his political career because he has been too "diffident" about his achievements.

From

Just as in Ukraine, decades of diffident American leadership, compounded by increasingly chaotic domestic politics, let the Gaza crisis spin out of control.

From

Until now, Scott has been a largely diffident presence in the movies, having distinguished himself most prominently as a masterly TV foil: the Moriarty to Benedict Cumberbatch’s “Sherlock,” the “hot priest” to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag.”

From

On one side, some students at a handful of elite universities have made harsh anti-Israel statements, some crossing the line into outright antisemitism, and some university presidents have been diffident and mealy-mouthed in their responses.

From

Not unlike Oldroyd’s sharp debut feature, “Lady Macbeth,” “Eileen” casts a seemingly diffident young woman as the antihero of an unusually cruel liberation story.

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