- pronunciation:
- dI
f
dnt
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
unsure of oneself; shy; demure.
The inventor was an unassuming and diffident man who found it difficult to persuade would-be investors.The young substitute teacher addressed the students in a diffident manner.- antonyms:
- confident
- similar words:
- bashful, demure, queer, shy, timid
|
| definition 2: |
reserved or restrained in manner.
As he was a diffident man, it was unlike him to show affection.- synonyms:
- reserved, restrained
- similar words:
- cold, distant, formal, remote, reticent
|
| related words: |
coy, hesitant, insecure, modest, retiring, taciturn, unassuming |
| derivation: |
diffidently (adv.) |
The word diffident
contains the following part:
dif-
Latin
prefix
that means
not, apart, reverse, negate
More about this word part:
The prefix
dif-
is an assimilated form of the prefix
dis-, used before roots beginning with "f", such as "fid" and "fer." See
dis-.
Example words: