skittish

[ skit-ish ]

adjective

1. apt to start or shy:

   a skittish horse.

2. restlessly or excessively lively:

   a skittish mood.

3. fickle; uncertain.
4. shy; coy.

skittish

/ ˈskɪtɪʃ /

adjective

1. playful, lively, or frivolous
2. difficult to handle or predict
3. rare.
   coy

Derived Forms

• ˈskittishness, noun
• ˈskittishly, adverb

Other Words From

• skittish·ly adverb
• skittish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skittish¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, perhaps derivative of the Scand source of skite ¹; -ish ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of skittish¹

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse skjōta to shoot ; see -ish

Example Sentences

Aside from increased competition, media companies are seeing advertisers become more skittish about running their ads in news programming, as they are turned off by the vitriol and divisiveness in the current polarized political landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

Police said on Thursday that the company had located the "skittish" group, and "are working to entice them with food".

From BBC

I wanted to ask about her string of what I consider Oscar-worthy performances in such Allen classics as “Broadway Danny Rose,” “The Purple Rose of Cairo” and “Hannah and Her Sisters,” but she sidestepped my skittish inquiries about this period of her career.

From Los Angeles Times

If you have a rescue dog, you probably have witnessed how the abuse or neglect it may have experienced earlier in life now influence its behavior – these pets tend to be more skittish or reactive.

From Salon

The main reason is that the Democrats again grew skittish about delivering provocative, attention-grabbing messaging that controls the news cycle and drives home a narrative of strength, success and optimism.

From Salon

Related Words

• edgy
• excited
• fearful
• fickle
• giddy
• jumpy
• restive