sheepish
Americanadjective
-
embarrassed or bashful, as by having done something wrong or foolish.
-
like sheep, as in meekness, docility, etc.
adjective
-
abashed or embarrassed, esp through looking foolish or being in the wrong
-
resembling a sheep in timidity or lack of initiative
Other Word Forms
- sheepishly adverb
- sheepishness noun
Etymology
Origin of sheepish
First recorded in 1150–1200, sheepish is from the Middle English word shepisshe; see sheep, -ish 1
Explanation
Sheep aren't the smartest, most confident creatures. They're always clustering together as if they're ashamed to be alone. When you're sheepish, you're like a sheep — embarrassed and not confident. The word sheepish can be used to describe how someone looks or acts. If you wear a sheepish grin, you're embarrassed. Similarly, if you're feeling a bit sheepish, you're probably wanting to hide away from the world. If you are acting sheepish, you probably don't want to take responsibility for your actions.
Vocabulary lists containing sheepish
The Outsiders
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List 6
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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Williamsport, he said, has more openly celebrated the mascot, while students in Lenox have grown sheepish.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
A few moments before the Celtic left-back - playing on the right since his introduction in the 72nd minute - scored the second wonder goal of the night, Hanley was feeling sheepish.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
When Daniela Amodei meets with potential customers and business partners, they sometimes toss her a sheepish question as they leave: “What should my kid study in college?”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
I was distracted, for instance, when Wilder’s Wonka made his grand limping entrance, as the sheepish building behind him was now dwarfed by sparkly, shiny warehouses.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025
With a sheepish look on his red face, Grandpa said in a whisper, “I’m sorry. This is our first time in a library.”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
