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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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.
Sheepish teenager Suzu — voiced in Japanese by Kaho Nakamura and by Kylie McNeill in the English dub — lacks confidence at school, while at home communication with her father is strained.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2022
The Canadian artist Amanda Walker, who calls her creative endeavor Black Sheepish, is inspired by art that explores themes of female identity and metamorphosis.
From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2020
Sheepish authorities announced they won’t pursue a possession case against Georgia Southern QB Shai Werts after police mistook some bird poop on the hood of his car for cocaine.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2019
In his new book Mousy Cats and Sheepish Coyotes, he explores the science of animal personalities and how it helps balance nature’s necessary tension between individualism and cooperation—and underpins important aspects of evolution.
From National Geographic • Jan. 6, 2018
Sheepish and silent, they shuffled from the room, ashamed and taken aback.
From My Attainment of the Pole by Cook, Frederick A.
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.
