coltish

[ kohl-tish ]

adjective

1. playful; frolicsome.
2. of, relating to, or resembling a colt.
3. not trained or disciplined; unruly; wild.

coltish

/ ˈkəʊltɪʃ /

adjective

1. inexperienced; unruly
2. playful and lively

Derived Forms

• ˈcoltishly, adverb
• ˈcoltishness, noun

Other Words From

• coltish·ly adverb
• coltish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coltish¹

1350–1400; Middle English. See colt, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

One of the youngsters was a coltish winger from Carmagnola, a pretty market town just south of Turin.

From BBC

The requirements of intimacy acting aside, she brings coltish physicality and expressive flush to all her scenes — whether lonely or laughing, aggravated or emboldened.

From Los Angeles Times

A pariah born with severe deformities, including an arm that’s longer than his coltish legs — when he runs, it trails him as perilously as Isadora Duncan’s scarf — Inu-oh hides his face under a gourd mask.

From New York Times

And those girls are indeed a light: Sidney and Singleton show giggly chemistry as sisters and coltish joy on the tennis courts.

From Seattle Times

By starring in her own film, Lindon makes her own youth apparent as an artist, as well as the youth of her character, who remains coltish and childlike.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheerful
• comical
• flirtatious
• frisky
• good-natured
• impish
• joking
• lighthearted
• lively
• mischievous
• spirited
• sprightly
• tongue-in-cheek
• whimsical