Dictionary shyShort of an amount

adjective

shy

Having less than the needed or expected amount.

We are five dollars shy of the total we need.

Etymology

sceohOld Englishtimid, easily startled

Shy can express holding back or falling short. In quantity expressions, it means the amount remains below what is wanted or expected.

More examples

Our team is two players shy of a full roster.
The jar holds just shy of two cups of flour.
Donations fall $200 shy of our goal.

Forms

shy

Similar words

short: The closest alternative; also commonly pairs with “of.”
lacking: Emphasizes what is missing rather than the size of the shortfall.