scaredy-cat

[ skair-dee-kat ]

noun

, Informal.

1. fraidy-cat.

scaredy-cat

/ ˈskɛədɪˌkæt /

noun

1. informal.
   someone who is easily frightened

Word History and Origins

Origin of scaredy-cat¹

First recorded in 1930–35; scared ( def ) + -y ² + cat ( def ) (in the slang sense “person, man”)

Example Sentences

“Wow, Althea. Little noises got you nervous? Guess you’re the scaredy-cat you always were.”

From Literature

Use direct language, not couched in scaredy-cat false equivalence, about the dangers of a second Trump presidency.

From Salon

During wilderness orientation in Canada, Naomi said she was the "biggest scaredy-cat - I vocalised my nerves" and thinks this made others write her off.

From BBC

“Ava’s a scaredy-cat of any loud noises,” said Rori Chang, who was there with her golden retriever.

From Seattle Times

That teasing quality, though sometimes charming — and often, if you are a scaredy-cat, a relief from the hard-core jolts — is the giveaway that “Grey House” should not be taken too seriously, regardless of its allusions to real-world horror of the past and present.

From New York Times

Related Words

• coward
• crybaby
• pushover

More About Scaredy Cat

What does scaredy-cat mean?

A scaredy-cat is a person who is easily frightened.

Scaredy-cat is very informal and is most often used by children. It is synonymous with fraidy-cat.

Example: He won’t go into the haunted house because he’s a scaredy-cat.

Where does scaredy-cat come from?

The first records of scaredy-cat come from the 1930s. It is a combination of scared, the adjective version of the verb scare, and the suffix -y, which is used to make adjectives. (Of course, scared is already an adjective, so adding a –y to it is unusual, but not unheard of—the same thing happens in the word raggedy). The word scaredy can be used by itself, but this is very uncommon. The synonym fraidy-cat is recorded earlier, in the early 1900s, and is based on a shortening of the word afraid. Both terms probably use the word cat because cats are known for being easily startled.

Scaredy-cat is mostly used by children as an insult or a playful tease, but it is also used by adults, especially when trying to be a bit funny by using a childish word. Scaredy-cat can be applied to someone who is afraid to do something or to someone who is generally timid or cowardly. Most commonly, it is used when trying to pressure someone to do something that they’re afraid of, as in Don’t be such a scaredy-cat—just climb this really steep cliff with us so we can explore that pitch black cave that’s infested with spiders and probably haunted!

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for scaredy-cat?

• fraidy-cat
• coward

What are some words that share a root or word element with scaredy-cat? 

 

• scared
• scarecrow

What are some words that often get used in discussing scaredy-cat?

• afraid
• frightened
• jumpy
• jittery
• uneasy
• high-strung

How is scaredy-cat used in real life?

Scaredy-cat is used as an insult, but it’s usually a lighthearted one.

Kim is such a scaredy-cat! Now we know where Saint gets it from #KUWTK

— Khloé (@khloekardashian) September 16, 2019

I’m finally watching @JordanPeele’s Us. I got really scared of the commercial so opted out (yes, I’m a big scaredy-cat. My own stories have scared me!). I’m at the gym, on the treadmill, around a lot of exercising people, it’s bright, it should be ok…let’s see how this goes. 😬

— Nnedi Okorafor, PhD (@Nnedi) December 28, 2019

That moment you find the biggest cockroach in the world in your house and your wife has to find out how much of a scaredy-cat you are.

— gawvi (@GAWVI) June 25, 2015

 

 

Try using scaredy-cat!

Which of the following words would NOT be used to describe a scaredy-cat?

A. timid
B. jittery
C. composed
D. jumpy