skittish

Imagine a wild horse: it might be beautiful and strong, but also skittish, meaning quick to react with fear at even a small sound or movement. A skittish animal is easily spooked, and a skittish person is often nervous and unsure. You would not want a skittish driver behind the wheel of a bus. It is more than just being shy; it suggests a person or animal that is tense and quick to pull back. Think of a deer freezing, then darting away at a rustle in the leaves: that is skittish behavior.

To be skittish means to be easily frightened, nervous, or quick to react in a worried way. It describes a person or animal that startles easily and may suddenly pull away, back off, or run. The word often brings to mind a horse that jerks at a noise or a deer that bolts the moment it senses danger.

While it is often used for animals, such as a skittish horse or cat, it is also used for people. A skittish child may hide behind a parent in a new place, and a skittish investor may pull money out of the market at the first sign of trouble. It is more than simple shyness; it suggests a nervous, uneasy state that leads to quick reactions.

You can also use skittish in a more figurative way, especially when talking about groups or markets. For example, reporters may describe skittish investors, skittish voters, or a skittish market when people are reacting nervously and changing direction quickly. In all of these cases, the idea is the same: a strong sense of unease, with a readiness to retreat or react at once.