Basic Details
Word: Shy
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Feeling nervous or uncomfortable in social situations; not wanting to be noticed or to speak up.
Synonyms: Timid, bashful, reserved
Antonyms: Confident, outgoing, assertive
Idioms and Phrases
- Shy as a mouse: Used to describe someone who is very quiet and timid. Example: "She was shy as a mouse during the presentation and barely spoke."
- Shy away from: To avoid something due to fear or lack of confidence. Example: "He tends to shy away from speaking in front of large groups."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Even though she is very talented, she is too shy to perform in front of an audience.
Example 2: The shy boy preferred to play alone during recess instead of joining in games with others.
Example 3: It took a little time, but the shy puppy soon warmed up to the friendly children.
Fun Fact
The word "shy" comes from the Middle English word "schy," meaning "to be frightened or afraid," which shows that shyness can often stem from a feeling of being scared or unsure in certain situations.
Famous Quote
"It is only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness that we will discover the infinite power of our light." Bren Brown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "shy" mean?
a) Very bold and daring
b) Feeling nervous in social situations
c) Always happy and cheerful
d) Extremely loud and talkative
Answer: b) Feeling nervous in social situations
2. Which of these is a synonym for "shy"?
a) Outgoing
b) Timid
c) Confident
d) Bold
Answer: b) Timid
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "shy"?
a) Reserved
b) Bashful
c) Outgoing
d) Timid
Answer: c) Outgoing
4. Which sentence uses "shy" correctly?
a) The shy girl sang loudly at the concert.
b) He was too shy to talk to new friends at the party.
c) The shy cat chased the dog.
d) Shy people love to lead crowds.
Answer: b) He was too shy to talk to new friends at the party.
5. What does the idiom "shy away from" mean?
a) To welcome something
b) To ignore something
c) To avoid something due to fear
d) To embrace something
Answer: c) To avoid something due to fear
