Pretty timid after I had returned (5)
I believe the answer is:
dishy
'pretty' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'timid after i had returned' is the wordplay.
'timid' becomes 'shy' (similar in meaning).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'i had' becomes 'i'd' (contraction).
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'id' back-to-front is 'di'.
'shy' put after 'di' is 'DISHY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dishy that I've seen before include "Informally good-looking, like plate?" , "Attractive" , "Good-looking (informal)" , "Good-looking (colloq.)" , "Gorgeous" .)