skittish

adjective skit·tish \ˈski-tish\

of an animal : easily frightened or excited

: nervous or fearful about doing something

: tending to change often : not dependable or stable

Full Definition of SKITTISH

a : lively or frisky in action : capricious

: easily frightened : restive <a skittish horse>

a : coy, bashful

b : marked by extreme caution : wary <skittish investors>

— skit·tish·ly adverb

— skit·tish·ness noun

See skittish defined for English-language learners

See skittish defined for kids

Middle English, from skit- (probably from Old Norse skyt-) + -ish

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonyms: fiddle-footed, flighty, fluttery, high-strung, hyper, hyperactive, hyperexcitable, hyperkinetic, jittery, jumpy, nervous, skittery, excitable, spasmodic, spooky

SKITTISHLY Defined for Kids

adjective skit·tish \ˈski-tish\

: easily frightened <a skittish horse>

Next Word in the Dictionary: skittlePrevious Word in the Dictionary: skitteryAll Words Near: skittish

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