sheepishly

[shee-pish-lee]

adverb

1. in an embarrassed or bashful fashion.

   She sheepishly glanced around, hoping no one had noticed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheepishly¹

sheepish ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Ninety minutes later, he sheepishly retracted the statement.

From Salon

"I don't know if I can say this, but I'm a crazy fan of Coldplay, so when they said, 'Do you want to come and play?' I was like, 'No way!'" she laughs, sheepishly.

From BBC

After sheepishly returning to home plate amid a taunting roar from the hostile Dodger Stadium crowd, he flied out with a runner on second.

From Los Angeles Times

Vanessa sheepishly admits she used to argue with her teachers when she started at secondary school "because I didn't get my own way".

From BBC

Billy Wilder was having trouble finding a teaspoon--in his own kitchen yet--so finally, sheepishly, he curled a finger and led a visitor to the Wilder dining room.

From Los Angeles Times