love-shy

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From love +‎ shy. Attributed to late sociologist Brian G. Gilmartin.[1]

Adjective

love-shy (comparative love-shier or love-shyer, superlative love-shiest or love-shyest)

  1. Ineffectual at courtship or attaining sexual intercourse.
    Hyponym: incel

Derived terms

Noun

love-shy (plural not attested)

  1. (very rare) A person, especially a man, who is ineffectual at courtship.

References