skittish

/ˈskɪtɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [skˈɪtɪʃ] /ˈskɪtɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [skˈɪtɪʃ] /ˈski-tish How to pronounce skittish (audio)/ (ame, mw)

skittish — adjective

  • skittishpositive
  • more skittishcomparative
  • most skittishsuperlative

1. used for a person or animal that becomes tense, jumps back, or resists when some

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used for a person or animal that becomes tense, jumps back, or resists when something sudden or unfamiliar unsettles it.

例句

Ezra's pony grew skittish when the wind shook the metal gate.

grow + skittish for increasing nervous reactivity

Nadia felt skittish about signing the lease after the owner dodged her questions.

skittish about + gerund for nervous reluctance

同義詞
  • jumpy

    more informal and especially common for people startled by small noises

  • nervous

    broader and more general; it does not always imply sudden reactions

  • wary

    focuses more on distrust or caution than on flinching

反義詞
  • calm

    not easily upset by sudden events

  • steady

    stays settled instead of reacting sharply

  • relaxed

    free from tense, jumpy behavior

文法句型

be skittish

grow/turn skittish

be skittish about + gerund

用法筆記

Often describes horses, pets, children, and shy adults reacting to sudden noise, movement, or unfamiliar surroundings. With people, skittish about + gerund usually means they are uneasy about going through with something.

常見錯誤

❌I am skittish about the exam tomorrow.
✅I am nervous about the exam tomorrow.
💡'skittish' suggests being jumpy or easily startled, not ordinary worry about a future event.

2. describes a person, opinion, or kind of support that changes direction quickly a

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a person, opinion, or kind of support that changes direction quickly and without much seriousness, so it is hard to know what will last.

例句

The newspaper mocked skittish voters who switched sides after every debate.

skittish + plural noun for people who change loyalty fast

Ayana sounded skittish, backing one plan at lunch and another by dinner.

predicative use for a person's shifting stance

同義詞
  • fickle

    closest everyday synonym for quickly changing loyalties or opinions

  • flighty

    more informal and often more critical of a person's character

  • capricious

    more formal and suggests sudden changes without a solid reason

反義詞
  • steady

    does not keep changing position or loyalty

  • consistent

    stays similar over time

  • serious

    treats beliefs and commitments with real weight

文法句型

be skittish

skittish voters

skittish loyalty

用法筆記

This sense is mostly about people and the views, loyalties, or support connected to them. Distinguish it from sense 1: here the problem is fickle commitment, not a startled reaction to noise or surprise.

常見錯誤

❌The weather was skittish all weekend.
✅The weather was changeable all weekend.
💡For unstable conditions, English usually uses 'changeable' or 'unsettled'; this sense of 'skittish' is mainly about people or their loyalties.