diffident
- s showing modest reserve
she was diffident when offering a comment on the professor's lecture - a lacking self-confidence
stood in the doorway diffident and abashed
- Do not mistaken Tanya's diffidence for insecurity for if you try to browbeat her into towing your line, you have a real fight on your hands.
- A job seeker is diffident only till the time he is offered the job.
- Gary's diffident manner belies an effervescent spirit and a love for the outdoors.