Diffidence
noun
Feeling of lack of confidence or self-esteem.
He overcame his natural diffidence and asked the girl to dance.
Often appears as...
- natural diffidence
- display diffidence
noun
Reluctance or hesitation out of modesty or bashfulness.
His diffidence about speaking in public is holding him back.
Often appears as...
- overcome diffidence
- reveal diffidence
noun
State of being hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence.
Excessive diffidence could be a barrier to success.
Often appears as...
- excessive diffidence
- show diffidence
Usage tips
Academic
noun
Feeling of lack of confidence or self-esteem.
He overcame his natural diffidence and asked the girl to dance.
Often appears as...
- natural diffidence
- display diffidence
noun
Reluctance or hesitation out of modesty or bashfulness.
His diffidence about speaking in public is holding him back.
Often appears as...
- overcome diffidence
- reveal diffidence
noun
State of being hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence.
Excessive diffidence could be a barrier to success.
Often appears as...
- excessive diffidence
- show diffidence
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Self-Esteem Link
Diffidence often indicates a person doesn't value themselves highly.
Despite his skills, his diffidence made him underestimate his own competence.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Behavior
Diffidence can be silent; not all shy people are openly timid.
She had a quiet diffidence, seldom joining conversations unless encouraged.
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpreted as Unfriendly
Sometimes diffidence can be mistaken for aloofness or disinterest.
His diffidence at the party was misconstrued as snobbery.
Compare with
bashfulinsecurityintroversionmodestyreserveshytimidity
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Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I went from resenting my mother-in-law to accepting her, finally to appreciating her. What appeared to be her diffidence when I was first married, I now value as serenity.
Quote examples
Jane Austen
British Writer
Where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world.
Quote examples
Yevgeny Yevtushenko
Russian Poet
Give me a mystery - just a plain and simple one - a mystery which is diffidence and silence, a slim little bare-foot mystery: give me a mystery - just one!
Quote examples
John Hurt
British Actor
Things come in a quieter way to me. It's not laziness, and it's not diffidence. I just know how far you have to bend for work. That's important for me.
Quote examples
Alphonsus Liguori
Italian Clergyman
God is displeased at the diffidence of souls who love Him sincerely and whom He Himself loves.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I went from resenting my mother-in-law to accepting her, finally to appreciating her. What appeared to be her diffidence when I was first married, I now value as serenity.
Quote examples
Jane Austen
British Writer
Where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world.
Quote examples
Yevgeny Yevtushenko
Russian Poet
Give me a mystery - just a plain and simple one - a mystery which is diffidence and silence, a slim little bare-foot mystery: give me a mystery - just one!
Quote examples
John Hurt
British Actor
Things come in a quieter way to me. It's not laziness, and it's not diffidence. I just know how far you have to bend for work. That's important for me.
Quote examples
Alphonsus Liguori
Italian Clergyman
God is displeased at the diffidence of souls who love Him sincerely and whom He Himself loves.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.
Example 1 of 6
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