French word

timidement

Pronunciation

IPA/timidəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbtimidly

Example

Elle a répondu timidement à la question.

She answered the question timidly.

Illustration for timidement (timidly)

More examples

Il a parlé timidement devant le groupe.

He spoke timidly in front of the group.

Core concept

An action kept small and cautious by hesitation and reserve.

Common phrases

  • parler timidement

    speak timidly

  • sourire timidement

    smile timidly

  • regarder timidement

    look timidly

Similar words

hésitamment: In a hesitant manner, as words or actions falter or trail off.
réservément: In a reserved manner, holding back feelings or opinions.

Definition in French

D'une manière hésitante et réservée, montrant un manque d'assurance.

Word origin

The ending -ment turns the adjective timide into the manner adverb timidement, while timide comes from Latin timidus.

Usage tips

  • Timidement describes how an action is done, whereas timide describes a person or thing and agrees in gender and number.

Other meanings

  • hesitantlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • timidetimidadjective
  • timiditétimiditynoun

Word lists with this word