skittish

adjective

skit·​tish ˈski-tish 

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

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

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

Privately, folks like O’Malley Dillon worked around the clock to calm skittish donors and activists. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024

Crafting outfits from patterns requires materials, and that means finding them in the wilderness — picking flowers at certain times of day, tracking down the best fishing spots, and convincing skittish cats to part with their excess fluff for a good cause, among other things. —Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024

Still, the path chosen feels unique — not least for conveying some awful truths by means palatable even to the most skittish viewer. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

For example, Smith said, loud noises could be used to scare naturally skittish deer away from high-traffic areas or warn them as a car approaches. —Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

skittish

adjective

skit·​tish ˈskit-ish 

1

: lively or frisky in action

2

: easily frightened : restive

a skittish horse

3

: bashful

skittishly adverb

skittishness noun