skittish

adjective

skit·​tish ˈski-tish How to pronounce skittish (audio)
1
a
: lively or frisky in action : capricious
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
3
a
b
: marked by extreme caution : wary
skittish investors
skittishly adverb
skittishness noun

Examples of skittish in a Sentence

We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage. the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Maybe there’s a skittish four-legged friend in residence. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 July 2025 In nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Creek flows through a picturesque valley and is filled with skittish wild brookies. Robert Annis, Outside Online, 3 July 2025 Pixar has always been skittish about franchise building. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025 This helps explain why New Delhi, despite its often confident rhetoric, is skittish about confronting Beijing unless pressed, even when it is backed by Washington. Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for skittish

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from skit- (probably from Old Norse skyt-) + -ish

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of skittish was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skittish. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

skittish

adjective
skit·​tish ˈskit-ish How to pronounce skittish (audio)
1
: lively or frisky in action
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
3
skittishly adverb
skittishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on skittish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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