timorous
Say it: TIM-uh-rus /ˈtɪm(ə)rəs/ · adjective
What “timorous” means
Nervous and easily frightened.
More precisely: Nervous and lacking confidence; easily frightened.
Example: “His timorous knock was so quiet that nobody opened the door.”
When to use it
When someone seems fearful and hesitant about acting. A literary or formal word, sometimes critical of their lack of courage.
Memory trick
Latin timor means fear: picture someone shrinking back from a harmless surprise.
Similar words
timid, fearful, nervous
Where it comes from
From Latin timor, 'fear'.
Quick check
Even though the small dog is friendly, Owen shrinks back and nervously asks someone else to approach it. He's…
cautious or timorous?
Show the answer
timorous
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