Shy x timid x bashful: "tímido" em inglês: Qual a diferença?

Dicas:

- Para mim, "shy" é mais comum/ocorre mais rotineiramente ao se falar "tímido" em inglês.
- "Timid" implica em algo mais forte do que "shy" no que diz respeito a "temer fazer algo por timidez".
- Do Oxford: "Timid": shy and nervous; not brave
- Do Wordreference: timid suggests an element of fearfulness, which shy may do as well but not as strongly.
- Bashful: quem tem vergonha ao se relacionar com pessoas: easily embarrassed in social situations [= shy]. - Longman


Bons estudos!

For me, they are VERY nearly synonyms. The differences in meaning, if any, are so small that much of the time the three words are interchangeable.
But...if you put them under the microscope...I think:
SHY is used more often for emotions (you go red in the face, you speak very quietly, you find it difficult to be extrovert etc)
TIMID is often slightly closer to fear and used more for hesitantcy and weakness in actions - "He couldn't control the horse because he was too timid, he needed to be firmer and more confident."
BASHFUL is unusual and a little bit old-fashioned. Its use is normally restricted to social awkwardness, especially in romantic situations - its most common use is probably a red-faced boy asking a girl to go on a date BASHFULLY.