Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

shrinking violet

/ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.29 in modern English

Syllables: shrink-ing vio-let
IPA: /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/

26

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

3

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A very shy or timid person, who avoids contact with others if possible.

Example Sentences

"June, no shrinking violet she, crossed the room and introduced herself to the newcomers."
"'"Shy", you said, sir! And I think you saw Moya less than six months ago? Well, the shrinking violet has been "had" twice since then for brawling, and if her mother hadn't contrived influenza in the very nick of time I understand that the timid fawn had arranged to chain herself to the minute hand of Big Ben.'"
"Little Johnny Jones, he was a US pilot / And no shrinking violet was he / He was mighty proud when World War III was declared / He wasn't scared, no siree!"

Etymology

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.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/
British English: /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/

Inflected Forms

shrinking violets (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

wallflower

Synonyms

shy person

Questions

How do you pronounce shrinking violet?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/.
What does shrinking violet mean?: A very shy or timid person, who avoids contact with others if possible.
Where does shrinking violet come 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.

How to pronounce shrinking violet

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