BASHFUL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bashful mean? 

• BASHFUL (adjective)
  The adjective BASHFUL has 2 senses:

1. self-consciously timid

2. disposed to avoid notice

  Familiarity information: BASHFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BASHFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Self-consciously timid

Context example:

I never laughed, being bashful; lowering my head, I looked at the wall

Similar:

timid (showing fear and lack of confidence)

Derivation:

bashfulness (feeling embarrassed due to modesty)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Disposed to avoid notice

Synonyms:

bashful; blate

Context example:

they considered themselves a tough outfit and weren't bashful about letting anybody know it

Similar:

backward ((used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature)

Domain region:

Scotland (one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts)

 Context examples 

He patted her back soothingly, and finding that she was recovering, followed it up by a bashful kiss or two, which brought Jo round at once.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The little fellow, who was holding her apron, gave such a lusty shout, that the sound of it made him bashful, and he buried his face in her skirts, to her great admiration.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She looked down as she said this, amiably bashful, with only one side glance at her companion to observe its effect on her.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

He hesitated, awkward and bashful, shifted his weight from one leg to the other, then blunderingly gripped my hand in a hearty shake.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Such a dainty color! Such a mellow voice! Eyes of a bashful maid, and hair like a three years' babe! Voila!”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The five hundred women applauded softly with gloved hands, seeking to encourage the bashful great man who was their guest.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Mr. Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Tommy is poor and bashful and good and very clever.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Mrs. Crupp broke out into rebellion on my first bashful hint in reference to the cooking of the fish and joint, and said, with a dignified sense of injury, No!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)