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

• 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• withdrawn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

The video shows her fiancé looking sheepish as Gaffney discovered the secret list. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

My protagonist feels similarly sheepish about her inability to master another language. —Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025

Guests of the event, dressed up in cocktail attire, admitted to feeling sheepish, reminded so powerfully about the current context, and hurried their way inside the storied building more quickly than in previous editions. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2025

Red-cheeked and reticent, the duo shook their heads and took their sheepish leave. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025

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