bashful meaning and examples

2025-08-23

Meaning

Bashful means shy, timid, or easily embarrassed. It describes someone who avoids drawing attention to themselves and may feel uncomfortable in social situations.

Grammar and Usage

  • Adjective

    • Used before a noun (a bashful child) or after linking verbs (She is bashful).
    • Typically used for people, sometimes for behavior or looks.

  • Sentence patterns:

    • "a bashful smile"
    • "He is bashful about speaking in public."

Common Phrases

  • bashful smile – a shy or timid smile.
  • feel bashful – to feel shy or embarrassed.
  • bashful child – a timid or shy child.

Collocations

  • noun + bashful: bashful boy, bashful look, bashful demeanor
  • bashful + noun: bashful grin, bashful glance, bashful personality

Examples

  1. The child gave a bashful smile when introduced to the guests.
  2. She felt bashful about performing in front of so many people.
  3. He is too bashful to ask her out.
  4. The actor seemed bashful despite his fame.
  5. A bashful grin spread across his face.
  6. She looked bashful when praised for her work.
  7. The bashful boy hid behind his mother.
  8. He gets bashful whenever people compliment him.
  • shy
  • timid
  • self-conscious
  • reserved
  • coy