Somewhat reserved or diffident; showing a tendency to be hesitant or modest (expression formed with the suffix '-gimi').
初対面なのでみんな遠慮気味だったが、徐々に打ち解けていった。
Because it was everyone's first meeting, they were somewhat reserved, but gradually warmed up.
彼女は会議で遠慮気味に意見を述べた。
She expressed her opinion somewhat hesitantly in the meeting.
料理をすすめられると、彼は遠慮気味に断った。
When offered food, he politely declined in a somewhat reserved way.
子どもは初めて会う先生に遠慮気味に話しかけた。
The child addressed the teacher for the first time in a somewhat shy manner.