shrinking violet

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shrinking violet

/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/ UK
/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/ UK
/-lɪt/ UK
/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/ US
/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/ US

Where it comes from

Possibly from the inconspicuous nature of the violet (genus Viola) flower and plant. The term appears to have been first used in the literal sense in the early 19th century.

noun shrinking violets

idiomatic A very shy or timid person, who avoids contact with others if possible. June, no shrinking violet she, crossed the room and introduced herself to the newcomers.
Similar: shy person

Translations

Every language

noun very shy person

Ελληνικά	χαμηλοβλεπούσα chamilovlepoúsa
Русский	недотро́га nedotróga

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MLA

"shrinking violet." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/shrinking%20violet. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

shrinking violet. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/shrinking%20violet

Chicago

"shrinking violet." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/shrinking%20violet.

BibTeX

@misc{shrinking_violet_2026,
  title = {shrinking violet},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/shrinking%20violet},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}