Definition of skittish
- a skittish horse
We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage.
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skittish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearfainthearted, fearful, fearsome, mousy (or mousey), scary, shy, timid, timorous, tremulous;
adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous;
brave, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undaunted, valiant, valorous;
assured, confident, self-assured, self-confident;
determined, firm, game, plucky, resolute, undeterred, unflinching, unswerving;
chicken, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, spineless, yellow;
anxious, apprehensive, nervous;
afraid, alarmed, horrified, panicked, panicky, panic-stricken, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized, unnerved;
of an animal : easily frightened or excited
: nervous or fearful about doing something
: tending to change often : not dependable or stable
See words that rhyme with skittish Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skittish Spanish Central: Translation of skittish Nglish: Translation of skittish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of skittish for Arabic speakers
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