squeamish

American  

[skwee-mish] / ˈskwi mɪʃ /

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.

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squeamish British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of squeamish

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

Example Sentences

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

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

But even this nice moment carries a squeamish undercurrent.

From Salon

"If you want to have international companies here you've got to allow them to pay management what they think that they need to be paid and not be squeamish," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• dizzy
• fastidious
• fussy
• queasy