skittish Definition
- 1nervous or easily frightened, and likely to run away or avoid unfamiliar situations
- 2changing suddenly and often
Using skittish: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "skittish" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The skittish horse refused to cross the bridge.
Example
She's always been skittish around strangers.
Example
The stock market can be skittish in times of uncertainty.
Example
The cat was too skittish to come out from under the bed.
skittish Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with skittish
Example
The new employee was skittish as a colt during his first presentation.
Example
She's always been skittish about public speaking.
Example
Investors are wary of the skittish market and are holding onto their assets.
Origins of skittish
from 'skit-', meaning 'move quickly', and '-ish', meaning 'somewhat'
Summary: skittish in Brief
The term 'skittish' [ˈskɪtɪʃ] describes someone or something that is nervous, easily frightened, and likely to avoid unfamiliar situations. It can also refer to something that changes suddenly and often, such as a skittish market. Examples include 'The skittish horse refused to cross the bridge' and 'She's always been skittish around strangers.' Phrases like 'skittish as a colt' and 'skittish about something' further illustrate this sense of nervousness.
