squeamish

[skwee-mish]

adjective

1. fastidious or dainty.

   Synonyms: modest
   Antonyms: bold

2. easily shocked by anything slightly immodest; prudish.

   Antonyms: bold

3. excessively particular or scrupulous as to the moral aspect of things.

   Synonyms: exacting, delicate, finicky, finical
   Antonyms: bold

4. easily nauseated or disgusted.

   to get squeamish at the sight of blood.

squeamish

/ ˈskwiːmɪʃ /

adjective

1. easily sickened or nauseated, as by the sight of blood

2. easily shocked; fastidious or prudish

3. easily frightened

   squeamish about spiders

Other Word Forms

• squeamishly adverb
• squeamishness noun
• oversqueamish adjective
• oversqueamishly adverb
• oversqueamishness noun
• unsqueamish adjective
• unsqueamishly adverb
• unsqueamishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English squaymysch, squaimish(e), alteration of squemes, squaymes, squaimous, squaymous “easily nauseated, nauseating, fastidious,” from Anglo-French escoimus, escoymous; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeamish¹

C15: from Anglo-French escoymous , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But the idea of actually making a profit makes many feel squeamish.

From BBC

But even this nice moment carries a squeamish undercurrent.

From Salon

"If you want to have international companies here you've got to allow them to pay management what they think that they need to be paid and not be squeamish," he said.

From BBC

She said friends and family were surprised by the move, as she had always been quite squeamish.

From BBC

"I'm not squeamish about taking these further measures," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• dizzy 
• fastidious 
• fussy 
• queasy