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Definition of sheepish

sheepish

/ˈʃiː.pɪʃ/
sheep · ish
Adverb:sheepishly
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sheepish Lexical Profile

sheepish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Showing or feeling embarrassment from shame or a lack of self-confidence, especially after committing a mistake or foolish act.

Example

"He offered a sheepish smile after realizing he had walked into the wrong conference room."

2

Resembling a sheep in nature or behavior, especially in being overly docile, compliant, or easily led.

Example

"The critic argued that the public's sheepish compliance with the new policy prevented meaningful debate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for sheepish

• Nearby Words

sheepdog
sheepherder
sheepherding
sheepish
sheepishly
sheepishness
sheeple

Word Origin & Etymology

Recorded in Middle English as 'schepische', derived from Old English 'scēp' (sheep) and the suffix '-isc' (-ish). It originally meant gentle or timid like a sheep before evolving in the late 17th century to describe awkward embarrassment.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sheepish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sheepish
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