Skittish describes someone or something that is easily startledsuddenly surprised or frightened by something unexpected, nervous, or hard to predictsay in advance what will happen next in behavior. It is often used about horses, but it can also describe people or situations that seem jumpy or unstablelikely to change suddenly or become unsteady.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈskɪtɪʃ/
Easy pronunciation: SKIT-ish (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Skittish Meaning
nervous and likely to react suddenly
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Unpredictably excitable, jumpy, or easily startled; especially used of horses.
Example: The skittish horse refused to go near the noisy crowd.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- flighty — Works well for the sense of being unpredictable or excitable.
- nervous — Fits the idea of being easily startled, though it is broader and more general.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Skittish Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- flighty
- nervous
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use skittish to mean simply shy, but it usually suggests nervous, jumpy, or unpredictably excitable behavior.
- Do not confuse skittish with spooky; they are not the same word in normal usage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does skittish mean in simple English?
It means nervous, jumpy, or easily startled.
Is skittish only used for horses?
No. It is often used for horses, but it can also describe people, animals, or even markets and situations that seem nervous or unstable.
What are the best synonyms for skittish?
Good synonyms include flighty and nervous, depending on the context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
