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View synonyms for skittish

skittish

[ skit-ish ]

adjective

  1. apt to start or shy:

    a skittish horse.

  2. restlessly or excessively lively:

    a skittish mood.

  3. fickle; uncertain.
  4. shy; coy.


skittish

/ ˈskɪtɪʃ /

adjective

  1. playful, lively, or frivolous
  2. difficult to handle or predict
  3. rare.
    coy
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈskittishness, noun
  • ˈskittishly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • skittish·ly adverb
  • skittish·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of skittish1

1375–1425; late Middle English, perhaps derivative of the Scand source of skite 1; -ish 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of skittish1

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse skjōta to shoot ; see -ish
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Example Sentences

Americans are rightly skittish about supporting violence, even in response to violent authoritarian attacks.

From Vox

If you have skittish pets, know that they’ll probably be grateful, too.

Even those who are not public company CEOs are skittish about becoming partisan combatants.

From Vox

Allaire, though, says the letter will provide assurance to other banks—some of whom remain skittish about cryptocurrency ventures.

From Fortune

Eric Johnson, Condé Nast svp of commercial marketing and events, said advertisers were “skittish” to buy into virtual events at first due to the uncertainty of what returns they might get from their already slashed marketing budgets.

From Digiday

The crowd is an assortment of reporters, posse members, film students, and very skittish men sporting huge AOL headphones.

And not surprisingly, firms also are notoriously skittish about revealing their diversity data.

They sense you tensing up at peculiar moments, acting skittish, laughing a little too hard, over-feigning outrage or surprise.

The American Jewish establishment seems a lot more skittish about the idea.

It should be no surprise that the unionless, privacy-skittish social network is itself a communitarian totem.

He was a skittish horse, gentle, as Andy explained, but "pow'ful nervous—had to be sort o' coaxed along."

"They're a skittish lot, the Orleans; they might take it in their heads to fight," suggested Muroc, with a little grin.

But they had men in their ranks, high-tempered men who, like so many skittish colts, wouldn't stand without hitching.

Pablito pursued his way in a serious mood, also busy with his skittish quadruped.

It'll take some skittish steerin', fur ef the old raft jest teches the rocks she'll go all to slivers.'

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