Shy means feeling nervous or uncomfortable around other people, especially people you don't know well. A shy person might find it hard to speak up in class, avoid eye contact, or prefer staying quiet at a party full of strangers.

Being shy is different from being unfriendly. Shy people often want to connect with others but feel anxious about it. A shy student might have wonderful ideas during a group project but struggle to share them out loud. Their heart might beat faster when the teacher calls on them, even if they know the answer.

Many shy people feel more comfortable once they get to know someone. Your shy classmate might barely talk on the first day of school but become quite talkative once you're friends. Some people are naturally more shy than others, and that's perfectly normal. Even confident adults felt shy as children.

The opposite of shy is outgoing or bold. While an outgoing person might walk right up to a new kid and introduce themselves, a shy person might wait, watch, and warm up more slowly. Neither approach is better. They're just different ways of being in the world.