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Definition of skittish

skittish

/ˈskɪt.ɪʃ/
skit · tish
Adverb:skittishly
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skittish Lexical Profile

skittish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

(Of a person, animal, or financial market) nervous, easily frightened, or prone to sudden, unpredictable reactions.

Example

"The young foal was still skittish around strangers and bolted at the sound of the gate closing."

2

Playfully frivolous, lively, or unpredictably changeable in mood or behavior.

Example

"Her skittish sense of humor kept the dinner guests entertained throughout the evening."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for skittish

• Nearby Words

skit
skitter
skittery
skittish
skittishly
skittishness
skittle

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 15th century, likely derived from the obsolete dialectal verb 'skit' meaning 'to dart or leap away,' of Scandinavian origin, combined with the suffix '-ish.'

Cite this Entry

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