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Skittish vs Petrified - What's the difference?

skittish | petrified | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between skittish and petrified

is that skittish is easily scared or startled; timid while petrified is extremely afraid.

As a verb petrified is

past tense of petrify.

skittish

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Easily scared or startled; timid.
    • The cat likes people he knows, but he is skittish around strangers.
  • wanton; changeable; fickle
    • Skittish Fortune's hall. — Shakespeare.

    Synonyms

    * spookish * jumpy * squirrelly

    Derived terms

    * skittishly * skittishness

    See also

    * startle

    petrified

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Extremely afraid.

    • Synonyms

    * See

    Verb

    (head)
  • (petrify)