Meaning

• An act of throwing.

• A place for throwing.

  "coconut shy"

• A sudden start aside, as by a horse.

• In the Eton College wall game, a point scored by lifting the ball against the wall in the calx.

Meaning

• To avoid due to timidness or caution.

  "I shy away from investment opportunities I don't understand."

• To jump back in fear.

  "The horse shied away from the rider, which startled him so much he shied away from the horse."

• To throw sideways with a jerk; to fling

  "shy a slipper"

Meaning

• Easily frightened; timid.

• Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.

  "He is very shy with strangers."

• Cautious; wary; suspicious.

• Short, insufficient or less than.

  "By our count your shipment came up two shy of the bill of lading amount."

• Embarrassed.