ticklish

[tik-lish]

adjective

1. sensitive to tickling.

2. requiring careful or delicate handling or action; difficult or risky; dicey.

   a ticklish situation.

3. extremely sensitive; touchy.

   He is ticklish about being interrupted.

4. unstable or easily upset, as a boat; unsteady.

ticklish

/ ˈtɪklɪʃ /

adjective

1. susceptible and sensitive to being tickled

2. delicate or difficult

   a ticklish situation

3. easily upset or offended

Other Word Forms

• ticklishly adverb
• ticklishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ticklish¹

First recorded in 1575–85; tickle + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

It was simple if ticklish work, and Penelope mastered it quickly.

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The dignity of Beowulf’s bow was marred by the appearance of Shantaloo, who had emerged from the shadows and now rubbed against his leg in a ticklish fashion.

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How England get him to that point is ticklish.

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If he can’t bowl at all, then England have the ticklish decision of whether to drop a batter or bowler.

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The decision on how to handle Anderson is ticklish for England.

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Related Words

• awkward 
• delicate 
• precarious 
• thorny 
• touchy 
• volatile