squeamish

[skwee-mish]

adjective

1. fastidious or dainty.

   Synonyms: modest
   Antonyms: bold

2. easily shocked by anything slightly immodest; prudish.

   Antonyms: bold

3. excessively particular or scrupulous as to the moral aspect of things.

   Synonyms: exacting, delicate, finicky, finical
   Antonyms: bold

4. easily nauseated or disgusted.

   to get squeamish at the sight of blood.

squeamish

/ ˈskwiːmɪʃ /

adjective

1. easily sickened or nauseated, as by the sight of blood

2. easily shocked; fastidious or prudish

3. easily frightened

   squeamish about spiders

Other Word Forms

• squeamishly adverb
• squeamishness noun
• oversqueamish adjective
• oversqueamishly adverb
• oversqueamishness noun
• unsqueamish adjective
• unsqueamishly adverb
• unsqueamishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English squaymysch, squaimish(e), alteration of squemes, squaymes, squaimous, squaymous “easily nauseated, nauseating, fastidious,” from Anglo-French escoimus, escoymous; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

C15: from Anglo-French escoymous , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In other words, her instincts and approach in the Home Office might make some within the party squeamish.

From BBC

His subversive reflection was that centre-left parties had been "squeamish" about saying things that were "clearly true" about controlling borders.

From BBC

He suggested left-wing politicians had been "squeamish" when talking about illegal immigration, but argued parties could not succeed without securing their borders.

From BBC

Farron told a hall full of activists to "stop being so flaming squeamish and English" and reclaim the UK's flags from groups who seek to "divide and destroy".

From BBC

But the idea of actually making a profit makes many feel squeamish.

From BBC

Related Words

• dizzy 
• fastidious 
• fussy 
• queasy