skittish

3 definitions • 4 examples

(of people and animals) nervous or easily frightened:

My horse is very skittish, so I have to keep him away from traffic.

Investors are skittish about the impact of an economic downturn.

(of a person) not serious and likely to change their beliefs or opinions often:

Marilyn was like a child, playful and skittish one moment, sulky and withdrawn the next.

(of people and animals) nervous and easily frightened:

The kitten was really skittish.