sheepish

[ shee-pish ]

adjective

1. embarrassed or bashful, as by having done something wrong or foolish.
2. like sheep, as in meekness, docility, etc.

sheepish

/ ˈʃiːpɪʃ /

adjective

1. abashed or embarrassed, esp through looking foolish or being in the wrong
2. resembling a sheep in timidity or lack of initiative

Derived Forms

• ˈsheepishness, noun
• ˈsheepishly, adverb

Other Words From

• sheep·ish·ly adverb
• sheep·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheepish¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, sheepish is from the Middle English word shepisshe; sheep, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Peter McMahon, the physicist-engineer at Cornell University who led the development of the network, defends it with a sheepish smile, pointing out that the handwritten number looks sloppy.

From Quanta Magazine

Each time this happened, my supervisor simply watched the whole thing with a sheepish smile, but never said anything to the manager.

From Washington Post

As Arthur — sheepish, with festering frustration — Douglas nimbly walks a tricky tightrope.

From Washington Post

Never be sheepish or embarrassed when you are asking for money from a foundation or a philanthropist.

From Time

“Look at all these open windows,” he berates his sheepish-looking underlings.

From The Daily Beast

The other kind of clueless father I encounter on a semi-regular basis is the sheepish variety.

From The Daily Beast

Necessary Errors is coming so late in my life that I feel a little sheepish about it.

From The Daily Beast

There are denials from phone makers and carriers, sheepish admissions from others.

From The Daily Beast

That left the small but fervid legion of believers who had dropped everything feeling upset and sheepish.

From The Daily Beast

She resented his sudden drop from his pedestal, for he looked sentimental and somewhat sheepish.

From Project Gutenberg

Gradually he began to feel a little sheepish, but nevertheless he did not relinquish his desire to break up the service.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, I felt sheepish enough to be took in so, but I wouldn't a been in that ringmaster's place, not for a thousand dollars.

From Project Gutenberg

The sheepish manners of our students and school-boys, may also be attributed to the mutton so generally alloted to them.

From Project Gutenberg

George stood his ground, looking sheepish; the old woman stood before him trembling violently and fighting against her tears.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• diffident
• foolish
• self-conscious
• timid
• uncomfortable