adj (1)腼腆的，胆小(怯)的(lacking confidence in the presence of others;timid，reserved，etc)：a～girl/smile/look 腼腆的姑娘/羞怯的一笑/不好意思的神情;be not～about offering suggestions 不怯于提建议;Tom was too～to ask her to dance. 汤姆太腼腆，不敢邀她跳舞。 It is good for small children to be～with strangers. 小孩跟陌生人腼腆是件好事。〖同〗fearful，shrinking，reserved，timid;〖反〗bold，fearless;

(2)(指动物)易受惊的，怕人的((of animals，birds，etc) easily frightened;timid;unwilling to come near people)：A deer is a～animal. 鹿是一种胆小的动物。

(3)缺乏的，不足的，未达到的(lacking;short of) [A (of/on)] [无comp] [作pred](AmE，infml)：His sister is three inches～of six feet. 他妹妹的身高差三英寸就六英尺了。They were one man～of a full team.他们还差一个人才能凑成一个队。They were one vote～to win.他们还差一票才能获胜。be～of/on funds 资金不足;〖同〗short，lacking，wanting，needing;

(4)谨慎的，有戒心的(be afraid of;distrustful)[A (of)][作pred]：She is～of strangers. 她对陌生人有戒心。 He is～of giving his opinion/buying shares. 他对发表意见/购买股票非常慎重。〖同〗suspicious，distrustful，cautious，careful;〖反〗careless，unsuspicious;

v(马)惊退(跳)((of a horse) jump or turn aside suddenly in fear)[I，I+prep (at)]：The horse～ied when it saw the snake. 那匹马见到蛇后惊了，连连后退。The horse～ied at the sight of a passing train. 那马看到驶过的火车惊得往后倒退。

shy away from (v adv prep)(由于羞怯或恐惧)躲(避)开(vt)：Her eyes～away from mine. 她的眼睛不敢和我的对视。

→′shyly adv 腼腆地;′shyness n 腼腆