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

Other Word Forms

• sheepishness noun
• sheepishly adverb

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

I felt sheepish when my partner caught me sneaking a cookie shortly after I had encouraged him to forgo dessert so we could “be healthy together.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As “Alien: Earth” skitters toward its season finale, it’s clear that this being intends to do worse than its sheepish gaze lets on.

Read more on Salon

Neither Tongue, nor India's batters, seemed to know what was coming next, as the sheepish giggle after Jadeja's wicket suggested.

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To his sheepish embarrassment, the coach indeed forgot him and had to be reintroduced.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Being able to use the food club is "pretty essential", he says, but admits that at first he felt "sheepish" about using it.

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Related Words

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