skittish

adjective

skit·​tish ˈski-tish How to pronounce skittish (audio)
Synonyms of skittish
1
a
: lively or frisky in action : capricious
b
: variable, fluctuating
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
3
a
: coy, bashful
b
: marked by extreme caution : wary
skittish investors
skittishly adverb
skittishness noun

Synonyms of skittish

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Examples of skittish in a Sentence

We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage. the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Slowing growth and a skittish economic mood caught up with the stock last summer. — Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026 Deer are fairly skittish and sudden movements, noises, or lights tend to frighten them off. — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 4 June 2026 Fatima has reason to be skittish. — Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 But injuries limited him to just 31 games in his junior and senior seasons, no doubt making the B’s skittish about signing him. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for skittish

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of skittish was in the 15th century

Rhymes for skittish

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Browse Nearby Words

skittery
skittish
skittle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skittish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skittish

adjective
skit·​tish ˈskit-ish How to pronounce skittish (audio)
1
: lively or frisky in action
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
3
: bashful
skittishly adverb
skittishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on skittish

Nglish: Translation of skittish for Spanish Speakers

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