Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dif-i-duh nt]
- /ˈdɪf ɪ dənt/
- /ˈdɪf.ɪ.dənt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dif-i-duh nt]
- /ˈdɪf ɪ dənt/
Definitions of diffidently word
- adjective diffidently lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy. 1
- adjective diffidently restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc. 1
- adjective diffidently Archaic. distrustful. 1
- noun diffidently In a diffident manner; without confidence in oneself. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of diffidently
First appearance:
before 1425 One of the 25% oldest English words
1425-75; late Middle English < Latin diffīdent- (stem of diffīdēns mistrusting, despairing, present participle of diffīdere), equivalent to dif- dif- + fīd- trust + -ent- -ent
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Diffidently
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
diffidently popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 66% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 51% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
diffidently usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for diffidently
adv diffidently
- nervously — highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress.
- timidly — lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.
- apprehensively — uneasy or fearful about something that might happen: apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.
- head shrinker — to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.
- shyly — bashful; retiring.
adverb diffidently
- self-effacement — the act or fact of keeping oneself in the background, as in humility.
- hesitantly — hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
- insecurely — subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured: an insecure person.
- reticency — the state of being reticent, or reserved, especially with regard to speaking freely; restraint: His natural reticence seemed to disappear under the influence of alcohol.
- reservedly — kept or set apart for some particular use or purpose.
Antonyms for diffidently
adv diffidently
- boldly — not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero.
- boastfully — given to or characterized by boasting.
- immodestly — not modest in conduct, utterance, etc.; indecent; shameless.
- pretentiously — characterized by assumption of dignity or importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved: a pretentious, self-important waiter.
adverb diffidently
- brashly — impertinent; impudent; tactless: a brash young man.
Top questions with diffidently
- what does diffidently mean?
See also
Matching words
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