Definition

Noun: - A state or quality of being easily frightened, nervous, or jumpy: Skittishness describes a tendency to be quickly alarmed, anxious, or excitable, often resulting in unpredictable or fidgety behavior. It implies a high-strung or overly sensitive disposition.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The horse's skittishness made it difficult to approach during the thunderstorm.
  • Her skittishness in social situations was evident from her constant fidgeting.
  • The skittishness of the financial markets was caused by the unexpected news.

Advanced Usage

• "to display/show skittishness": to exhibit nervous or easily frightened behavior.
  • The new investor displayed a certain skittishness, selling his shares at the first sign of a downturn.
• "a touch/hint of skittishness": a small amount of nervous excitability.
  • There was a hint of skittishness in his voice as he gave the presentation.

Variants and Related Words

• Skittish (adj): Easily frightened or excited; nervous.
  • The skittish cat hid under the bed.
• Skittishly (adv): In a nervous, jumpy, or easily frightened manner.
  • The deer looked skittishly around before crossing the road.

Synonyms

• Nervousness: The state of being anxious or apprehensive.
• Jitteriness: A state of nervous restlessness.
• Timidity: Lack of courage or confidence.
• Flightiness: The quality of being fickle and irresponsible, often related to being easily excited or distracted.

Antonyms

• Calmness: The state of being peaceful and untroubled.
• Boldness: Willingness to take risks; confidence.
• Composure: The state of being calm and in control of oneself.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To have a case of the jitters": To feel nervous or anxious. (This idiom is a close conceptual cousin to skittishness, describing a temporary state of nervousness.)
  • He had a case of the jitters before his big interview.

Noun

1. characterized by nervousness and quickness to take fright