sheepish
pronunciation
How to pronounce sheepish in British English:
UK [ˈʃi:pɪʃ]
How to pronounce sheepish in American English:
US [ˈʃipɪʃ]
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- Adjective:
- like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity
- showing a sense of shame
Word Origin
- sheepish (adj.)
- c. 1200, "resembling a sheep" in some perceived characteristic, from sheep + -ish. The sense of "bashful, over-modest, awkward among strangers" first is recorded 1690s. Related: Sheepishly; sheepishness. Old English had sceaplic "of a sheep, 'sheep-ly.'"
Synonym
Example
- 1. Even uk officials were sheepish about that number .
- 2. What might account for this sheepish behavior among people who ought to know better ?
- 3. The outfit later issued a sheepish apology and promised an " internal investigation " .
- 4. Billy , the offender , came in afterwards , looking quite sheepish .
- 5. It isn 't the first time china has appeared somewhat sheepish about its global ascension .