DIFFIDENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does diffident mean? 

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

1. showing modest reserve

2. lacking self-confidence

  Familiarity information: DIFFIDENT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIFFIDENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing modest reserve

Context example:

she was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture

Similar:

reserved (marked by self-restraint and reticence)

Derivation:

diffidence (lack of self-confidence)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking self-confidence

Synonyms:

diffident; shy; timid; unsure

Context example:

a very unsure young man

Attribute:

confidence (a feeling of trust (in someone or something))

Antonym:

confident (having or marked by confidence or assurance)

Derivation:

diffidence (lack of self-confidence)

 Context examples 

Young men should be diffident of themselves, you know, M. Clerval: I was myself when young; but that wears out in a very short time.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Now, Mr. Bhaer was a diffident man and slow to offer his own opinions, not because they were unsettled, but too sincere and earnest to be lightly spoken.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

She was always quick and assured: Isabella slow and diffident.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Martin was elated and diffident.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Your garb and manner were restricted by rule; your air was often diffident, and altogether that of one refined by nature, but absolutely unused to society, and a good deal afraid of making herself disadvantageously conspicuous by some solecism or blunder; yet when addressed, you lifted a keen, a daring, and a glowing eye to your interlocutor's face: there was penetration and power in each glance you gave; when plied by close questions, you found ready and round answers.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She liked him, however, upon the whole, much better than she had expected, and in her heart was not sorry that she could like him no more;—not sorry to be driven by the observation of his Epicurism, his selfishness, and his conceit, to rest with complacency on the remembrance of Edward's generous temper, simple taste, and diffident feelings.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

You think her diffident.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

No. He thinks Marianne's affection too deeply rooted for any change in it under a great length of time, and even supposing her heart again free, is too diffident of himself to believe, that with such a difference of age and disposition he could ever attach her.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)