skittish
Americanadjective
-
apt to start or shy.
a skittish horse.
-
restlessly or excessively lively.
a skittish mood.
-
fickle; uncertain.
-
shy; coy.
adjective
-
playful, lively, or frivolous
-
difficult to handle or predict
-
rare coy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of skittish
1375–1425; late Middle English, perhaps derivative of the Scand source of skite 1; see -ish 1
Explanation
If you're skittish, you're unpredictable and excitable. You've probably seen skittish horses in parades — the loud noises and crowds of people make them very nervous and jumpy. The adjective skittish isn't just for animals — humans can be skittish too. If you're sleeping in a haunted house, for example, you're likely to be skittish, jumping at every moving shadow. Skittish can also mean flighty in thought — like your boss who's skittish about giving you a raise and avoids discussing it. The word is thought to have come from the Scandinavian word skyt, meaning "very lively, frivolous."
Vocabulary lists containing skittish
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Touching Spirit Bear
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Things They Carried
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Skittish travelers started saying they plan to avoid airports this holiday season.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
Among his most popular images was a scowling, squatting bull terrier, with a lawn sign nearby reading “BEWARE! Skittish Dog!”
From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2022
Skittish about personal contact, Biden has relied since March on digital organizing and television ads, counting on outside groups to fill some of the in-person gaps.
From Washington Post • Sep. 22, 2020
Skittish sponsors probably will be less of an issue in podcasting than on a prominent TV network, the experts said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2017
Skittish, mebby—young blood most gen'rally is, when there's any ginger in it.
From The Gringos by Fischer, Anton Otto
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.
