Shily vs. Shyly — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Sumaia Saeed — Updated on April 18, 2024
Shily is the incorrect spelling of shyly, which means in a timid or reserved manner.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Shily or Shyly
How to spell Shyly?
Shily
Incorrect Spelling
Shyly
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
The correct spelling "shyly" simply adds -ly to "shy" to form the adverb, following the usual English pattern.
Remember that adverbs often end in -ly, directly appended to their root adjectives without changing the base form.
The correct form shyly maintains the base adjective shy, directly adding -ly, common in adverb formation from adjectives.
How Do You Spell Shyly Correctly?
Incorrect: She looked at him shily.
Correct: She looked at him shyly.
Incorrect: She answered the question shily, barely audible.
Correct: She answered the question shyly, barely audible.
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Incorrect: He smiled shily at the compliment.
Correct: He smiled shyly at the compliment.
Incorrect: She entered the room shily, trying not to be noticed.
Correct: She entered the room shyly, trying not to be noticed.
Incorrect: He waved shily to his new classmates.
Correct: He waved shyly to his new classmates.
Shyly Definitions
In a timid or hesitant manner.
He shyly asked for a second helping.
With embarrassment or bashfulness.
She smiled shyly when her name was called.
Indicating modesty or reticence.
She accepted the praise shyly, looking down at her feet.
With reserve or reluctance to draw attention.
The child stood shyly at the back of the group.
In a manner showing lack of confidence.
He spoke shyly during the meeting, avoiding eye contact.
Easily startled; timid
A shy deer.
Tending to avoid contact or familiarity with others; retiring or reserved
A shy student who stayed in the back of the room.
Characterized by reserve or diffidence
A shy glance.
Distrustful; wary
Shy of strangers.
Not having a sufficient or specified amount, as of money
Was shy $100 on his rent.
Was two victories shy of the school record.
To move suddenly or draw back, as if startled or afraid
The horse shied at the loud sound.
To avoid engaging in, treating, or discussing something
"a film adaptation that would not shy away from the novel's controversial themes" (Scot French).
A sudden movement, as from fright; a start.
In a shy manner.
In a shy or timid manner; not familiarly; with reserve.
In a shy or timid or bashful manner;
He smiled shyly
Shyly Meaning in a Sentence
He laughed shyly when he made a joke.
The little boy peered shyly around the door.
He looked up shyly from his book.
She raised her hand shyly in the classroom.
The kitten shyly hid behind the sofa.
The child shyly showed his parents his drawing.
She handed her homework to the teacher shyly.
She asked for help shyly, not wanting to bother anyone.
She greeted her new teacher shyly.
The puppy approached the stranger shyly.
He joined the game shyly, standing at the edge of the playground.
She introduced herself shyly to the group.
The young singer started her performance shyly.
He shyly peeked out from behind the curtain.
The boy watched shyly from a distance, too nervous to join.
He accepted the award shyly, without much to say.
He shyly avoided making eye contact during the conversation.
She shyly declined the invitation to speak.
The girl shyly approached the podium to deliver her speech.
She responded shyly to the kind compliments.
She sang shyly during her first choir performance.
He reached out shyly to shake hands with his hero.
The boy shyly shared his toys with the new student.
She offered her opinion shyly, unsure of the reaction.
He entered the room shyly, scanning for familiar faces.
Shyly Idioms & Phrases
Laugh shyly
To give a soft, hesitant laugh.
He laughed shyly at the joke, unsure if it was appropriate to laugh louder.
Speak shyly
To talk in a low, hesitant tone.
She spoke shyly when introducing herself.
Stand shyly
To position oneself timidly or cautiously in a group.
The new member stood shyly at the edge of the room.
Look shyly
To gaze in a timid or hesitant way.
He looked shyly at the ground when asked a question.
Approach shyly
To come near someone or something in a timid manner.
The puppy approached the unfamiliar visitors shyly.
Sing shyly
To perform a song with timidity or reservation.
She sang shyly during the rehearsal, barely audible.
Respond shyly
To reply in a subdued or timid manner.
He responded shyly when asked about his hobbies.
Offer shyly
To give or propose something timidly.
He shyly offered his seat to the elderly man on the bus.
Enter shyly
To come into a place in a hesitant or timid manner.
He entered the party shyly, staying close to the door.
Smile shyly
To smile in a timid or restrained manner.
She smiled shyly at her new classmates.
Decline shyly
To refuse something in a timid or embarrassed way.
She declined the invitation shyly, mumbling her excuse.
Dance shyly
To move or dance in a restrained or timid way.
She danced shyly, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Wave shyly
To wave in a reserved or timid manner.
She waved shyly to her friend across the crowded room.
Explain shyly
To describe or clarify something in a hesitant manner.
He explained his project shyly, unsure of the response.
Ask shyly
To inquire or make a request in a timid manner.
The student asked shyly for extra help after class.
Greet shyly
To welcome someone with timidity or reserve.
He greeted his relatives shyly at the family reunion.
Accept shyly
To take or receive something with modesty or timidity.
He accepted the praise shyly, not sure how to respond.
Participate shyly
To take part in an activity with reservation or hesitance.
She participated shyly in the dance, not moving much.
Play shyly
To engage in play in a timid or restrained manner.
The child played shyly, keeping to himself.
Admit shyly
To confess or acknowledge something reluctantly.
She admitted shyly that she had forgotten to bring the book.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called shyly?
It is called shyly because it describes an action done in a shy manner.
How is shyly used in a sentence?
Shyly is used to describe an action that is done timidly or with hesitation.
What is the verb form of shyly?
The verb form related to shyly is "shy."
What is the pronunciation of shyly?
Shyly is pronounced as \ˈshī-lē.
What is the singular form of shyly?
As an adverb, shyly does not have a singular or plural form.
What is the root word of shyly?
The root word of shyly is "shy."
How many syllables are in shyly?
There are two syllables in shyly.
How do we divide shyly into syllables?
Shyly is divided as shy-ly.
What is a stressed syllable in shyly?
The stressed syllable in shyly is 'shy.'
What is the plural form of shyly?
As an adverb, shyly does not have a singular or plural form.
Is shyly a noun or adjective?
Shyly is an adverb.
Is shyly an adverb?
Yes, shyly is an adverb.
Is shyly a countable noun?
Shyly is not a noun; it is an adverb and thus not countable.
Is the word shyly imperative?
No, shyly is an adverb, not a form of verb that can be imperative.
Is the shyly term a metaphor?
No, shyly is not used as a metaphor; it describes a manner of action.
Is the word “shyly” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
The word “shyly” cannot be a direct or indirect object as it is an adverb.
Which vowel is used before shyly?
Vowels are not specifically used before adverbs like shyly; it depends on the context of the sentence.
What is the opposite of shyly?
The opposite of shyly could be boldly or confidently.
Which article is used with shyly?
Articles are not used with adverbs like shyly.
What part of speech is shyly?
Shyly is an adverb.
What is another term for shyly?
Another term for shyly is timidly.
Is shyly an abstract noun?
No, shyly is not a noun; it is an adverb.
Is shyly a negative or positive word?
Shyly is generally neutral but can be perceived negatively depending on context.
Is the word shyly Gerund?
No, shyly is not a gerund; it is an adverb.
Which determiner is used with shyly?
Determiners are not typically used with adverbs like shyly.
Which preposition is used with shyly?
Prepositions are not directly associated with adverbs like shyly; the usage depends on the overall sentence structure.
Which conjunction is used with shyly?
Conjunctions do not directly relate to adverbs like shyly.
Is shyly a vowel or consonant?
The word itself consists of both vowels and consonants.
Is shyly a collective noun?
No, shyly is an adverb, not a noun.
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Written by
Sumaia Saeed
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
