diffident
DIF-ih-duhnt
/ˈdɪf.ɪ.dənt/
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence; hesitant to assert oneself.
Diffidence is born of internal self-doubt rather than deliberate moral humility.
The story behind the word. Latin 'fidere' means 'to trust' (the source of words like 'fidelity' and 'confide'). Adding the prefix 'dis-' produced 'diffidere', meaning 'to distrust'—specifically, to lack trust in oneself. The English word diffident was originally used in the 15th century to mean suspicious, but later evolved to mean lacking self-trust.
Word relationships
- timid: Timid implies fearfulness in general, while diffident specifically denotes self-doubt about one's own capabilities.
- bashful: Bashful carries a connotation of social awkwardness or youth, while diffident is a formal term for intellectual self-distrust.
- confident: Confident means feeling sure of one's abilities and powers.
- audacious: Audacious implies bold daring and willing risk-taking.
Commonly confused with
- indifferent: Indifferent means unconcerned or uncaring, whereas diffident means lacking self-confidence!
Word family
- diffidence (noun): Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.
- diffidently (adverb): In a diffident, shy manner.
Collocations
- diffident smile
- diffident manner
- diffident about
- diffident glance
Example sentences
- "I was diffident of my own powers, and hesitated to take the step." 19th-century literature
- "Though brilliant in written exams, the student remained diffident during oral discussions." Academic evaluation
Memory hook
DIFFIDENT = DIFFICULT to be CONFIDENT due to lack of self-trust. Diffident lacks faith in oneself.
When not to use
Do not use for someone who is bold and confident but simply chooses to remain quiet.
Fun facts
- Diffident and confident are exact etymological mirror opposites: con-fident means 'with full trust', while dif-fident means 'without trust'!
Related words
Also appears in
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