flighty

/ˈflaɪti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflaɪti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflī-tē/ (ame, mw)

flighty — adjective

  • flightypositive
  • flightiercomparative
  • flightiestsuperlative

1. describes someone who keeps changing interests, plans, or partners and treats th

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes someone who keeps changing interests, plans, or partners and treats them lightly, so the person seems unserious and hard to rely on.

例句

Adisa seemed flighty, switching weekend plans every time a new invite arrived.

seem/be + flighty for judging character

Kevin sounded flighty, saying he would quit his job and move by Friday.

同義詞
  • fickle

    broader and more neutral; it can describe support or weather as well as people

  • frivolous

    more formal and stresses lack of seriousness rather than constant change

  • scatterbrained

    focuses on mental disorganization more than social unreliability

反義詞
  • serious

    shows thought and responsibility

  • steady

    does not keep changing direction

  • dependable

    emphasizes that other people can trust you

文法句型

be flighty

flighty friend

flighty partner

用法筆記

Often used critically for a person who changes plans, loyalties, or relationships without much thought. Unlike sense 2, this use judges the person's character rather than a nervous reaction to noise or surprise.

常見錯誤

❌My schedule is flighty this month.
✅My schedule is unpredictable this month.
💡For changing timetables or conditions, English usually uses 'unpredictable' or 'unstable', not the person-focused sense of 'flighty'.

2. describes an animal, person, or crowd that reacts nervously to sudden movement o

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes an animal, person, or crowd that reacts nervously to sudden movement or sound and becomes jumpy, excitable, or hard to settle.

例句

The flighty horse jerked sideways when a plastic bag blew across the track.

common with horses and other animals

Salma's cat turned flighty during the storm and hid behind the washing machine.

turn/become + flighty for sudden nervousness

同義詞
  • skittish

    the closest match, especially for horses or animals that jump at things

  • jumpy

    more informal and often used for people startled by small noises

  • excitable

    broader and can be positive, while 'flighty' usually sounds critical

反義詞
  • calm

    not easily upset or alarmed

  • steady

    keeps its balance and does not react sharply

  • settled

    quiet and no longer jumpy

文法句型

be flighty

become flighty

flighty horse

用法筆記

Common with horses and other animals, and sometimes with people or crowds in tense situations. Unlike sense 1, it means jumpy or easily upset in the moment, not generally shallow or unreliable.

常見錯誤

❌I felt flighty before the exam.
✅I felt nervous before the exam.
💡For ordinary worry before an event, English usually uses 'nervous'; 'flighty' in this sense suggests skittish reactions to sudden stimuli.