Words / C1

SKIT-ish/ˈskɪtɪʃ/

Skittish means nervous and easily frightened, or changeable: a skittish foyer, a skittish cohort. Nervous (already in the dictionary) is everyday; unease in the lobby is still an incident file.

Meaning

Nervous and easily frightened; also changeable (from nervous, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A skittish foyer is an incident file, not “banter”.”
• “Nervous is already in this course. Jumpy is the close twin. Banter is talk. A log is a file. Write the incident; then keep the banter if the clause still sits on a fact.”

Good to know

Nervous and easily startled. Everyday: nervous (already in the dictionary). Banter ≠ an incident file.

Near in meaning

jumpy, nervous, restive

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