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
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.
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
Jesse Plemons is more sheepish when coughing up his selection.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025
As “Alien: Earth” skitters toward its season finale, it’s clear that this being intends to do worse than its sheepish gaze lets on.
From Salon • Sep. 18, 2025
To his sheepish embarrassment, the coach indeed forgot him and had to be reintroduced.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2025
The wolf managed to look a bit sheepish, which must have been difficult for him.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
