squeamish

[ skwee-mish ]

adjective

1. fastidious or dainty.

   Synonyms: modest

   Antonyms: bold

2. easily shocked by anything slightly immodest; prudish.

   Antonyms: bold

3. excessively particular or scrupulous as to the moral aspect of things.

   Synonyms: exacting, delicate, finicky, finical

   Antonyms: bold

4. easily nauseated or disgusted:

   to get squeamish at the sight of blood.

squeamish

/ ˈskwiːmɪʃ /

adjective

1. easily sickened or nauseated, as by the sight of blood
2. easily shocked; fastidious or prudish
3. easily frightened

   squeamish about spiders

Derived Forms

• ˈsqueamishness, noun
• ˈsqueamishly, adverb

Other Words From

• squeamish·ly adverb
• squeamish·ness noun
• over·squeamish adjective
• over·squeamish·ly adverb
• over·squeamish·ness noun
• un·squeamish adjective
• un·squeamish·ly adverb
• un·squeamish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English squaymysch, squaimish(e), alteration of squemes, squaymes, squaimous, squaymous “easily nauseated, nauseating, fastidious,” from Anglo-French escoimus, escoymous; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

C15: from Anglo-French escoymous , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

This was Rivers unplugged, foul-mouthed in a way that made me feel like a squeamish altar boy.

From Los Angeles Times

Kemi Badenoch, the new Conservative boss, is unashamed in saying what the softer fringes of the Tory party has felt squeamish about until now.

From BBC

She says describing what she does can sometimes make others feel squeamish, but says "it's important that we have these open conversations with our friends so they're aware and know to get tested".

From BBC

“There may be a few squeamish donors who drop out, but his strong supporters may end up writing even bigger checks.”

From Los Angeles Times

Today’s Democrats are so squeamish about nationalism and seemingly incapable of appreciating the power of narrative that they have no national story at all.

From Salon

Related Words

• dizzy
• fastidious
• fussy
• queasy