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
• nervous

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

The bond markets have been skittish for a while, serving as both a check on White House fiscal policies and a warning signal that America’s economic strengths are being put to the test. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Combine that with major studios presumably getting more skittish about greenlighting LGBTQ+ content, and the slate is getting thinner. —Samantha Allen, Them., 2 Sep. 2025

If the situation becomes a little skittish in the final weeks with those spots in jeopardy, the underwhelming results against the Marlins might be cited amongst other issues. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Investors are already skittish about chipmakers’ exposure to China. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for skittish

• british

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