# skittish

/ˈskɪtɪʃ/ (US) · /skˈɪtɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/skittish
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

easily scared or nervous, like a horse that jumps at small noises. You use it for animals and people who react quickly with fear or excitement.

For teachers: easily startled or nervously excitable; prone to sudden, erratic movement in response to minor stimuli. Often applied to horses and other animals, extended to people who are nervous, shy, or evasive.

## Examples

- The skittish cat hides under the bed.
- The rescue dog remains skittish around strangers and barks at sudden movements in the park.
- Investors grew skittish after the mixed earnings reports, pulling back from riskier stocks until clearer signals emerged about interest rates.

## Synonyms

nervous, jumpy, jittery

## Antonyms

calm, relaxed

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.