How Do You Spell SHY?

Pronunciation: [ʃˈa͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "shy" is spelled with the letters s-h-y. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ʃaɪ/. The first sound, /ʃ/, is a voiceless postalveolar fricative produced by placing the tongue near the roof of the mouth, while producing a hissing sound. The second sound, /aɪ/, is a diphthong made of two vowel sounds: /a/ as in "father" and /ɪ/ as in "sit". Together, these sounds form one of the most commonly used adjectives, meaning to be timid or easily frightened.

SHY Meaning and Definition

  1. Shy is an adjective that describes a person who is hesitant, timid, or reserved in social situations, often feeling awkward or uncomfortable when interacting with others. It implies a tendency to avoid attention or being in the spotlight, typically due to a lack of confidence or self-consciousness.

    A shy individual may exhibit characteristics such as avoiding eye contact, speaking softly or infrequently, blushing easily, or having difficulty initiating or engaging in conversations. They often prefer solitude or being in the company of close friends or family, as large gatherings or new social settings may induce anxiety or feelings of insecurity.

    Furthermore, shyness can also manifest as a fear of public speaking, performing or being evaluated, rendering the individual reluctant to participate in activities that draw attention to themselves. However, it is important to note that shyness exists on a continuum, and its intensity may vary greatly from person to person.

    Shyness is not necessarily a negative trait; many shy individuals are highly observant, empathetic, and thoughtful. Over time, some individuals may develop skills to overcome their shyness, while others may prefer or find comfort in embracing their introverted nature. Building self-esteem, practicing social skills, and gradually exposing oneself to new experiences can help manage and diminish shyness in some cases.

  2. • To start suddenly aside, as a horse.
    • That is fearful of near approach; reserved; not familiar; avoiding free intercourse; wary; cautious.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SHY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SHY

Etymology of SHY

The word shy can be traced back to the Old English word sceoh, which means timid or bashful. This word is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word skeukhwaz, meaning afraid or shy.

Idioms with the word SHY

  • a few bricks shy of a load The idiom "a few bricks shy of a load" means that someone is not mentally sharp or intelligent. It suggests that the person is lacking some basic understanding or awareness, similar to a load of bricks missing a few pieces.
  • be one card shy of a (full) deck The idiom "be one card shy of a (full) deck" refers to someone who is perceived as being mentally or intellectually lacking or not completely rational. It suggests that the person is missing something essential or is not fully "playing with a full deck" of cards, implying a level of incompetence or eccentricity.
  • fight shy of something/of doing something To "fight shy of something/of doing something" means to avoid or be hesitant to engage in or commit to a particular action, often due to fear, apprehension, or a lack of confidence. It implies a reluctance or unwillingness to confront or participate in a specific situation or activity.
  • shy away The idiom "shy away" means to avoid or refrain from doing something due to fear, hesitation, or uncertainty. It refers to the tendency to withdraw or back off from a particular action or situation.
  • shy away from sb The idiom "shy away from somebody" means to avoid or keep a distance from someone, often due to fear, discomfort, or hesitation. It implies hesitancy or reluctance to engage or interact with a particular person.
  • fight shy of (someone or something) The idiom "fight shy of (someone or something)" means to avoid or be cautious of someone or something, usually due to suspicion, fear, or reluctance. It implies a reluctance to engage with or approach the person or thing in question.
  • have a shy at (something) The idiom "have a shy at (something)" means to attempt or try something, typically without much confidence or skill. It implies taking a shot at doing or achieving something, even if there are doubts about achieving success.
  • one brick shy of a (full) load The idiom "one brick shy of a (full) load" is used to describe someone who is not mentally or intellectually fully functional or capable. It implies that the person lacks intelligence, understanding, or common sense. The idiom suggests that if a load is supposed to be comprised of a certain number of bricks, this person is missing one, which symbolizes a deficiency or inadequacy in mental capacity.
  • shy away from sth/doing sth The idiom "shy away from something/doing something" means to avoid or refrain from doing or engaging in something, typically out of fear, hesitation, or aversion. It refers to an individual's inclination to stay away from a specific action, topic, or situation due to personal discomfort, lack of confidence, or a desire to avoid potential difficulties.
  • three bricks shy of a load The idiom "three bricks shy of a load" is used to describe someone who is lacking intelligence or common sense. It implies that the person is missing three bricks from a load, symbolizing that they are not mentally complete or fully functioning. It suggests that the person may have a few screws loose or may be intellectually deficient.
  • shy away from (someone or something) The idiom "shy away from (someone or something)" means to avoid or show reluctance or fear towards someone or something. It implies hesitancy or the tendency to stay away from a certain person, situation, or topic due to discomfort, anxiety, or a lack of confidence.
  • fight shy of sth/doing sth The idiom "fight shy of sth/doing sth" means to avoid something or be hesitant or unwilling to engage in a particular activity or situation due to fear, concern, or unease. It implies a reluctance or reluctance to confront or face something.
  • shy of sth The idiom "shy of sth" typically means to be slightly less than a particular measurement, amount, or expectation. It suggests being just short of achieving or reaching something specific. It can also imply a lack of confidence or hesitation towards something.
  • one brick shy of a load The idiom "one brick shy of a load" is used to refer to someone who is perceived as lacking intelligence, common sense, or mental capacity. It suggests that the person is not quite mentally complete or is missing something essential, using the metaphor of a load of bricks indicating a complete or full capacity.
  • shy bladder The idiom "shy bladder" refers to a condition known as paruresis, where an individual experiences difficulty or inability to urinate in public restrooms or when others are present.
  • bricks shy of a load The idiom "bricks shy of a load" is used to describe someone who is perceived to be unintelligent, foolish, or mentally lacking. It suggests that the person is missing a few crucial pieces of information or understanding, much like a load of bricks that is incomplete or insufficient.
  • shy away (from sm or sth) The idiom "shy away (from sm or sth)" means to avoid or hold back from someone or something out of fear, uncertainty, or reluctance. It implies a tendency to back away or avoid involvement.
  • one card shy of a (full) deck The idiom "one card shy of a (full) deck" is used to describe someone who is considered mentally or intellectually lacking or not operating at full mental capacity. It implies that the person is missing an essential element or is not fully competent or sensible.
  • shy away from The idiom "shy away from" is used to describe someone's hesitation, avoidance, or reluctance towards doing something, particularly when they are afraid or unwilling to face or confront a particular situation, task, or topic. It indicates an individual's tendency to avoid or steer clear of something they find challenging, uncomfortable, or intimidating.
  • fight shy of The idiom "fight shy of" means to actively avoid or be reluctant to engage in something, often due to fear, reluctance, or distrust. It implies a cautious or hesitant approach towards a particular action or situation.
  • once bitten, twice shy The idiom "once bitten, twice shy" means that after a negative experience, a person becomes cautious or hesitant to engage in a similar situation again. It implies that a person has learned from past mistakes and is now more careful to prevent another negative outcome.
  • gun-shy Reluctant or hesitant to take action, especially as a result of past negative experiences or fear of failure.

Similar spelling words for SHY

Plural form of SHY is SHIES

Conjugate verb Shy

CONDITIONAL

I would shy
you would shy
he/she/it would shy
we would shy
they would shy

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be shying
you would be shying
he/she/it would be shying
we would be shying
they would be shying

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have shy
you would have shy
he/she/it would have shy
we would have shy
they would have shy

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been shying
you would have been shying
he/she/it would have been shying
we would have been shying
they would have been shying

FUTURE

I will shy
you will shy
he/she/it will shy
we will shy
they will shy

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be shying
you will be shying
he/she/it will be shying
we will be shying
they will be shying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have shied
you will have shied
he/she/it will have shied
we will have shied
they will have shied

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been shying
you will have been shying
he/she/it will have been shying
we will have been shying
they will have been shying

IMPERATIVE

you shy
we let´s shy

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to shy

PAST

I shied
you shied
he/she/it shied
we shied
they shied

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was shying
you were shying
he/she/it was shying
we were shying
they were shying

PAST PARTICIPLE

shied

PAST PERFECT

I had shied
you had shied
he/she/it had shied
we had shied
they had shied

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been shying
you had been shying
he/she/it had been shying
we had been shying
they had been shying

PRESENT

I shy
you shy
he/she/it shies
we shy
they shy

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am shying
you are shying
he/she/it is shying
we are shying
they are shying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

shying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have shied
you have shied
he/she/it has shied
we have shied
they have shied

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been shying
you have been shying
he/she/it has been shying
we have been shying
they have been shying
I would have shied
we would have shied
you would have shied
he/she/it would have shied
they would have shied

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