sheepish

adjective

sheep·​ish ˈshē-pish 

1

: resembling a sheep: such as

a

: meek, timid

b

: stupid

2

: affected by or showing embarrassment caused by consciousness of a fault

a sheepish grin

sheepishly adverb

sheepishness noun

Synonyms of sheepish

• shy
• withdrawn
• bashful
• lone

Examples of sheepish in a Sentence

He felt a little sheepish.

a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books

Recent Examples on the Web

Her mother was withdrawn at first, a little sheepish, tentative. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Mean-mugging white classmates who, in turn, were sheepish and chastened. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

For his part, Beltran, carrying a baseball for Cepeda to sign, was sheepish. — Vahe Gregorian july 29, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

The culprit — wearing tinted hippie glasses, a white tank top and a flower-print skirt — responded with a sheepish shrug and a smile. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sheepish

adjective

sheep·​ish ˈshē-pish 

1

: resembling a sheep (as in being meek or shy)

2

: embarrassed especially over being found out in a fault

a sheepish look

sheepishly adverb

sheepishness noun