Timidity is a noun referring to the quality of being timid or wary, showing a lack of self-assurance or boldness. It often manifests as hesitation, reluctance to take risks, or avoidance of social situations. The word captures a temperament or reaction rather than a fixed trait, and can be used descriptively or evaluatively in discussing behavior or character.
"Her timidity in speaking up during meetings surprised her usually confident colleagues."
"The shy child's timidity gradually lessened as she gained more social experiences."
"He faced his timidity and joined the group, finally contributing his ideas."
"The veteran's timidity about trying new approaches showed how risk-averse they had become."
Timidity comes from Middle French timidité, from Late Latin timiditas, derived from timidus meaning fearful or afraid. The Latin root timere means to fear. The suffix -ity forms abstract nouns denoting a state or condition. English adopted timidité via French in the early modern period, maintaining the core sense of fearfulness and reserve. The word’s usage has long toggled between psychological description and a behavioral assessment, often carrying a slightly pejorative tone in evaluative contexts. Over time, timidity has retained its core meaning of inhibited confidence, though modern usage can describe cautious, risk-averse temperament in social or performance settings. First known English uses date to the 16th or 17th century, with the term appearing in prose and later in psychological or literary contexts as discussions of character and temperament expanded. Today, timidity is commonly contrasted with boldness or decisiveness in both personal development and social dynamics, and it remains a frequent subject in discussions of confidence-building and behavior modification.
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Words that rhyme with "Timidity"
-ity sounds
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Timidity is pronounced /tɪˈmɪdɪti/. Break it into syllables: ti-MID-i-ty, with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with a short, lax /t/ followed by a short /ɪ/; the second syllable carries the main emphasis with /ˈmɪ/ and /dɪ/; finish with /ti/. Keep the /d/ crisp to avoid sounding like /tɪˈmɪdiə/; ensure the final /ti/ is clear, not reduced to a schwa. IPA cues: US/UK/AU share /tɪˈmɪdɪti/.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the second syllable stress, producing tɪˈmɪdɪti with weak emphasis on /ˈmɪ/; 2) Slurring /d/ into the following /ɪ/ leading to /tɪˈmɪdiɪti/ or /tɪˈmiːdɪti/; 3) Over-reducing the final -ty to /ti/ or /tiː/ without its short vowel. Correction: emphasize /ˈmɪ/ clearly, keep the /d/ as a plosive before /ɪ/, and articulate the final /ti/ as /ti/ rather than a prolonged /tiː/; practice by isolating the middle syllable: ti-MID-i-ty.
Across US, UK, and AU, the core vowels stay similar: /tɪˈmɪdɪti/. Differences: US often has a slightly flatter /ɪ/ in unstressed vowels; UK may show a crisper /t/ and slightly longer vowel in the first syllable; AU commonly exhibits non-rhoticity in broader speech, but timidity is typically rhotic in all three, with some Australians reducing the final vowel subtly. Overall, vowel quality shifts are minor; the primary stress remains on the second syllable.
Timidity involves two issue areas: the unstressed sequence -mɪ- and the final -ti. The middle syllable /ˈmɪ/ carries primary stress and requires a clear /m/ followed by a tense /ɪ/ to avoid blending with the preceding /t/. The final /ti/ must be crisp; speakers often glide or reduce it, producing /tɪti/ or /ti/. Also the cluster /md/ can be challenging for non-native speakers when moving from /m/ to /d/ quickly. Focus on crisp bilabial /m/ and alveolar /d/ with a short /ɪ/ before the final /ti/.
Timidity centers on a two-syllable primary stress pattern: ti-MID-i-ty with /ˈmɪ/ stressed. The sequence /tɪˈmɪdɪti/ requires a crisp /t/ and /d/; ensure the alveolar stops are released cleanly. The second syllable /ˈmɪ/ must be prominent; the third /dɪ/ is relatively quick; the final /ti/ should be a clear, short syllable without vowel reduction. Mouth position: lips relaxed for /t/ and /d/, slight rounding for /ɪ/ vowels, tip of tongue near alveolar ridge for /t/ and /d/.
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