love-shy

English

Alternative forms

• loveshy

Etymology

love +‎ shy. Attributed to late sociologist Brian G. Gilmartin.

Adjective

love-shy (comparative love-shier or love-shyer, superlative love-shiest or love-shyest)

1. Ineffectual at courtship or attaining sexual intercourse.

   Hyponym: incel

Derived terms

• love-shyness

Noun

love-shy (plural not attested)

1. (very rare) A person, especially a man, who is ineffectual at courtship.