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 of skittish

• 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

Investors have become skittish and are looking for value. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Dolphins fans are so skittish about quarterback decisions by now the common sentiment is to let seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers compete with similar, low-cost names this year, lose a lot of games and draft one next spring. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026

But the knee-jerk move higher highlights that traders are suddenly skittish about inflation. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026

In any major conflict, the classic investor reaction is to bid up defense stocks like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman while selling off airlines, hotels, cruise operators and others that might suffer as regional travel is curbed and skittish travelers stay home. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026

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