skittish
/ˈskɪtɪʃ/
Group 16Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Easily made nervous or frightened; restlessly or excessively lively GRE
Example in Context
Investors grew skittish as geopolitical tensions escalated, pulling capital out of emerging markets and seeking safer havens.
Synonyms
jumpynervousanxious
Etymology
Having the quality of leaping around nervously.
- skit (Old Norse) — to leap
- ish (Old English) — having the quality of
Memory Aid
🐰Sounds like “skit-tish”
Imagine a TICKLISH rabbit at a comedy show, jumping out of its seat every time someone laughs!
Visual Association
😨A rabbit with wide eyes, hopping from one corner to another in a room filled with sudden loud noises.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “skittish” mean on the GRE?
skittish (adjective) means “Easily made nervous or frightened; restlessly or excessively lively”. Investors grew skittish as geopolitical tensions escalated, pulling capital out of emerging markets and seeking safer havens.
How to remember “skittish” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “skittish” sounds like “skit-tish”. Imagine a TICKLISH rabbit at a comedy show, jumping out of its seat every time someone laughs!
What are synonyms for “skittish”?
Common synonyms: jumpy, nervous, anxious.