diffidence
shyness or lack of self-confidence
Word origin: From Latin diffidere, to distrust, from fidere, to trust.
Diffidence in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing diffidence in a sentence.
Her diffidence in meetings masked a sharp and original mind.
His diffidence in meetings led colleagues to underestimate ideas that were, on paper, quite bold.
Using “diffidence” well
Diffidence is shyness rooted in self-doubt, pairing with timidity and reticence. Note that it concerns lack of confidence, not lack of interest, and is unrelated to indifference despite the similar sound.
More GRE words starting with D
to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime
a raised platform for speakers or honored guests
to waste time or act without urgency
to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong
marked with spots or patches of color or light
to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt
to move slowly or waste time idly
a scarcity or shortage of something
Questions about “diffidence”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.