skittish

skit·tish

adjective \ˈski-tish\

Definition 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>

— skit·tish·ly adverb

— skit·tish·ness noun

Examples of SKITTISH

1. We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage.
2. <the skittish colt leapt up when we approached>

Origin of SKITTISH

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SKITTISH

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

imperturbable, nerveless, unexcitable, unflappable, unshakable

Related Words

hot-blooded, mercurial, temperamental, unstable, volatile, volcanic; anxious, edgy, flibbertigibbety, nervy, tense, uptight; emotional, emotionalistic, hypersensitive, intense, sensitive, soulful; dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic; irascible, irritable, perturbable, prickly, testy, touchy

Near Antonyms

calm, collected, cool, serene, tranquil; easy, easygoing, laid-back, relaxed

Rhymes with SKITTISH

British