DIFFIDENT (ADJ)

Meaning: Shy; timid; lacking in self-confidence; lacking or marked by lack of self-confidence

• Bipin’s adroitness to solve mathematical tutorials was masked by his diffident behavior, which often made teacher think that he was a simpleton.

Synonyms: reserved, unassertive, bashful, hesitant, doubtful, insecure

Antonyms: outgoing, loquacious, brazen

Memory Trick:

I. Diffident: Diffid (Defeat) + ent (student): Defeated student behaved diffidently in front of the winner.

II. Diffident: Rhyme with Pepsodent: The diffident student did not make a single comment on his teacher suggestion to buy Pepsodent.

III. Diffident: Rhyme with Pepsodent:

Even the deadly germ acts diffidently before Pepsodent.

IV. Diffident: Diffident is the opposite of confident.

V. Most of us act diffidently while communicating in English. Therefore, English teacher always has to give a lecture on how to act confidently.

VI: It is incredible; my diffident friend became confident after brushing her teeth with Pepsodent.