Definition of skittish
1a : lively or frisky in action : capriciousb : variable, fluctuating
2 : easily frightened : restive a skittish horse
3a : coy, bashfulb : marked by extreme caution : wary skittish investors
skittishly
adverbskittishness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
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
Origin and Etymology of skittish
Middle English, from skit- (probably from Old Norse skyt-) + -ish
First Known Use: 15th century
SKITTISH Defined for English Language Learners
skittish
playDefinition of skittish for English Language Learners
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of an animal : easily frightened or excited
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: nervous or fearful about doing something
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: tending to change often : not dependable or stable
SKITTISH Defined for Kids
skittish
playDefinition of skittish for Students
: easily frightened a skittish horse
Learn More about skittish
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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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