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

This film is designed to make even jaded people squeamish, but it does so to make its points about how women in particular, and society in general, crave youth and beauty — and the lengths they will go to keep that.

From Salon

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

And Florida Senator Marco Rubio might have been a draw for the Latino vote and, again, some of those squeamish suburban voters who are a little freaked out about the anti-immigrant rhetoric and see Rubio as more of an establishment type.

From Salon

Related Words

• dizzy
• fastidious
• fussy
• queasy