How to pronounce skittish
Say it like SKIT-ish. Skittish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce skittish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKIT
- ish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Skittish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of skittish
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SKIT-ish.
What does skittish mean?
- Easily scared or startled; timid.“The dog likes people he knows, but he is skittish around strangers.”
- Wanton; changeable; fickle.
- Difficult to manage; tricky.
Where does skittish come from?
Probably from skite (“to move lightly and hurriedly; to move suddenly, particularly in an oblique direction (Scotland, Northern England)”) + -ish; compare skitter.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying skittish
How do you pronounce skittish?
Say SKIT-ish. The American pronunciation is /ˈskɪtɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈskɪtɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in skittish?
Skittish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SKIT). Broken into parts: SKIT · ish.
Is skittish pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈskɪtɪʃ/ (SKIT-ish).