skittish
/ˈskɪtɪʃ/
adjective
- (Of an animal, especially a horse) easily frightened or startled; nervous.
- Our dog is skittish around strangers and hides under the bed.
- The skittish mare shied away from the loud noise of the tractor.
- Skittish deer will bolt if they catch a human scent.
- (Of a person) nervous, excitable, or unpredictable in behavior or mood.
- The actor was skittish before the live performance, pacing backstage.
- He grew skittish whenever the topic of marriage came up.
- Investors became skittish after the stock market dropped sharply.
- Tending to change one's mind or be unreliable; fickle.
- His skittish voting record made it hard to predict his stance.
- She's skittish about committing to a long-term plan.
- The skittish weather kept switching from sun to rain all day.