A shrinking violet
noun
A person who is very shy and quiet.
She is not a shrinking violet, she is confident and not afraid to speak her mind.

Often appears as...
- she's not a shrinking violet
- came out of her shrinking violet persona
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A person who is very shy and quiet.
She is not a shrinking violet, she is confident and not afraid to speak her mind.

Often appears as...
- she's not a shrinking violet
- came out of her shrinking violet persona
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1

Emotional Connotation
Implies vulnerability or a lack of confidence, sometimes used compassionately.

Even amidst boisterous debates, he remained a shrinking violet.
Informal Context
Used in casual conversation, less appropriate in formal writing or speeches.

At parties, he's a bit of a shrinking violet.
Not Negative
Being a shrinking violet isn't always bad; it can mean being thoughtful and reserved.

He's considered the office shrinking violet, calmly observing before he acts.
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