diffidently

English

WOTD – 24 June 2010

Etymology

From diffident +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɪf.ɪ.dənt.li/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adverb

diffidently (comparative more diffidently, superlative most diffidently)

1. In a diffident manner; without confidence in oneself.
   • 1856, John Lothrop Motley, The Rise of the Dutch Republic, preface:

     The author too keenly feels that he has no further claims than these, and he therefore most diffidently asks for his work the indulgence of his readers.

   • 1883, Evelyn Whitaker, Miss Toosey's Mission, page 85:

     The same evening John Rossitter wrote to the Bishop of Nawaub, and very humbly and diffidently offered himself, his young life, his health and his strength, his talents and energies, his younger son's portion, all that God had given him, for his Master's use;

   • 1902, Ellen Glasgow, The Voice of the People, page 193:

     "May I see you sometimes?" he asked diffidently.

Synonyms

• (in a diffident manner): bashfully, hesitantly, humbly, shyly, uncertainly

Related terms

• diffidence
• diffident

Translations

in a diffident manner; without confidence in oneself

• Finnish: epävarmasti
• French: timidement (fr), en hésitant, humblement (fr), modestement (fr)
• German: schüchtern (de), zaghaft (de)
• Russian: засте́нчиво (ru) (zasténčivo), ро́бко (ru) (róbko), неуверенно (ru) (neuverenno), недоверчиво (ru) (nedoverčivo), скры́тно (ru) (skrýtno)
• Spanish: con timidez (es), con humildad (es)