diffident
adjectiveUK /ˈdɪf.ɪ.dənt/
US /ˈdɪf.ə.dənt/
Shy and not sure of yourself.
He gave a diffident smile and stayed near the door.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Lacking confidence in your own abilities.
She was diffident about speaking in front of the class.
3. Behaving in a way that shows you do not want to bother others.
His diffident knock was so soft that no one heard it.
4. Not eager to push yourself forward or claim attention.
The diffident new player waited to be asked to join the game.