1. Being unpredictable and easily excited: Skittish horses are often seen in parades because of the loud noises and crowds of people that make many of the horses very nervous and jumpy.
2. Nervous or worried: Some skittish children are afraid to meet strangers.
3. Easily startled or timid and afraid: The cat is calm and friendly with people it knows, but it becomes a skittish cat when strangers come to visit.