timid crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the clue "timid", you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track.
Solutions for "timid crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SHY: Lacking confidence; easily frightened.
COY: Making a pretense of shyness or modesty which is intended to be alluring.
4 Letters
MEEK: Quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.
7 Letters
FEARFUL: Feeling or showing fear or apprehension.
NERVOUS: Easily agitated or alarmed.
BASHFUL: Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
8 Letters
TIMOROUS: Showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.
9 Letters
DIFFIDENT: Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
12 Letters
APPREHENSIVE: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
More About "timid crossword clue"
The word "timid" describes someone who shows a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened or apprehensive. This makes it a popular clue in crosswords due to the rich vocabulary of English synonyms that can describe this characteristic. From short, direct words like SHY to longer, more nuanced terms like APPREHENSIVE, the diversity allows crossword setters ample opportunity to fit the required answer into their grids.
When encountering "timid" in a crossword, always consider the surrounding letters you already have filled in, and the number of letters required for the answer. These two pieces of information are your best friends in narrowing down the possibilities from the many options available. Sometimes, the clue might also hint at a specific nuance of 'timid' – for instance, 'timid and modest' might point more strongly to COY or BASHFUL.
Understanding the subtle differences between synonyms like 'fearful' (focused on fear) versus 'diffident' (focused on lack of confidence) can sometimes be the key to cracking a trickier puzzle. Crosswords often reward a deeper understanding of vocabulary, and 'timid' is a prime example of a word with a wide semantic field.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Scan for letter count: Always cross-reference the number of blank spaces with the possible answer lengths. This is the fastest way to eliminate many incorrect options for a clue like 'timid'.
- Consider synonyms and antonyms: For character-based clues like 'timid', thinking of its direct synonyms (e.g., shy, meek) and sometimes even its antonyms (e.g., bold, brave) can jog your memory for related words.
- Look for context clues: Sometimes the clue isn't just "timid" but "timid person" or "timid creature," which might point to specific types of words. Also, check if it's part of a phrase or idiom.
- Utilize intersecting letters: The letters you've already filled in from crossing words are invaluable. They will quickly confirm or rule out potential answers for "timid."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there so many answers for a clue like "timid"?
Clues like 'timid' often have multiple answers because they refer to common human traits or states that have a rich variety of synonyms in the English language. This allows crossword constructors flexibility in fitting words into their grid based on the available letter count.
How does the number of letters help me solve a 'timid' clue?
The number of letters is crucial in crosswords. If you know 'timid' is a 3-letter answer, you can immediately narrow down options to SHY or COY. If it's 7 letters, you might consider FEARFUL or NERVOUS. This dramatically reduces the possibilities and makes solving more efficient.
Can 'timid' be part of a cryptic crossword clue?
Absolutely! In cryptic crosswords, 'timid' could be part of a wordplay element, such as a charade (e.g., 'TI' + 'MID' = a word containing these sounds), an anagram indicator (suggesting letters need to be rearranged), or even a double definition where 'timid' has two different meanings being hinted at. Always read the whole clue for context in cryptics.