Word: diffident (adjective)

Associations

"Diffident" means shy, lacking confidence, or hesitant to speak or act. It describes a person who feels unsure about themselves or their abilities.

• She was diffident during the interview, speaking softly and avoiding eye contact. Here, it shows her lack of confidence.
• The diffident child did not want to join the group game because he felt nervous. This shows hesitation due to shyness.
• His diffident manner made it hard for him to ask questions in class. This highlights his lack of self-assurance.

Synonym: "shy" is a close synonym. The difference is "diffident" often implies a quiet reserve or modesty, while "shy" can be more about fear or nervousness around others.

Substitution

Other words you can use instead of "diffident":

• shy (more general, can imply fear)
• timid (emphasizes fearfulness)
• reserved (more neutral, means quiet or restrained)
• hesitant (focuses on delay or uncertainty) Using these changes the tone slightly. For example, "timid" sounds more fearful, while "reserved" is more about being quiet without necessarily feeling insecure.

Deconstruction

The word "diffident" comes from Latin:

• Prefix "dif-" means "not" or "away"
• Root "fid" means "trust" or "faith"
• Suffix "-ent" forms an adjective So, "diffident" literally means "not trusting" (in oneself), which explains why it means lacking confidence or being shy.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt diffident? What made you feel that way?
• How is being diffident different from being quiet or introverted?
• In what situations might being diffident be a good thing? When might it be a problem?