skittish

[ skit-ish ]
/ ˈskɪt ɪʃ /

adjective

apt to start or shy: a skittish horse.
restlessly or excessively lively: a skittish mood.
fickle; uncertain.
shy; coy.

Origin of skittish

1375–1425; late Middle English, perhaps derivative of the Scand source of skite1; see -ish1

OTHER WORDS FROM skittish

skit·tish·ly, adverb skit·tish·ness, noun

Words nearby skittish

Example sentences from the Web for skittish

British Dictionary definitions for skittish

skittish
/ (ˈskɪtɪʃ) /

adjective

playful, lively, or frivolous
difficult to handle or predict
rare coy

Derived forms of skittish

skittishly, adverb skittishness, noun

Word Origin for skittish

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse skjōta to shoot; see -ish