skittish

/'skitiʃ/
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skittish

The young horse became skittish when a plastic bag blew across the path.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Easily frightened or nervous; jumpy: Describes a tendency to be startled or alarmed by slight causes, often resulting in sudden, unpredictable movements or reactions.
    • Restless; fickle; excitable: Describes a state of being lively, nervous, or capricious, making behavior hard to predict or control.
Usage
  • The primary use of "skittish" describes animals, especially horses, that are nervous and prone to shying or bolting.
  • It can also describe people who are nervous, easily excited, or changeable in mood or opinion.
  • It implies a lack of steadiness or calmness.
Examples
  • Describing animals:
    • The skittish horse reared up at the sound of thunder.
    • The deer are very skittish and will run at the slightest noise.
  • Describing people or behavior:
    • Investors became skittish after the sudden market drop.
    • She gave a skittish laugh, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
Advanced Usage
  • "Skittish about (something)": Nervous or hesitant about a particular thing.
    • The company is skittish about making large investments in the current economy.
  • Used metaphorically to describe unstable systems or reactions.
    • The skittish steering made the car difficult to control on the icy road.
Variants and Related Words
  • Skittishly (adverb): In a skittish manner.
    • The cat approached the new toy skittishly.
  • Skittishness (noun): The quality of being skittish.
    • The horse's skittishness made it unsuitable for beginner riders.
Synonyms
  • Nervous: Easily agitated or alarmed.
  • Jumpy: Nervous and anxious, reacting suddenly to stimuli.
  • Flighty: Fickle and irresponsible, especially in moods or behavior.
  • Restive: Unable to keep still or silent, especially because of boredom or impatience.
Antonyms
  • Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
  • Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.
  • Placid: Not easily upset or excited.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Like a skittish colt: Behaving in a nervously energetic or unpredictable way.
    • He approached the negotiation table like a skittish colt, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.
skittish

The young horse became skittish when a plastic bag blew across the path.

Adjective
  1. unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)

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