What does sheepish mean?
Sheepish describes a person who feels embarrassed, awkward, or self-conscious, usually because of a mistake, an embarrassing remark, or a situation that has just been exposed. The word can be sympathetic, as in “He felt sheepish after missing the joke,” or gently teasing, as in “a sheepish smile.” It conveys a mixture of embarrassment and unease, often with an implication of awkwardness or mild foolishness. Historically, the expression drew on the image of a sheep, whose appearance became associated with timidity and simple innocence. Today it is especially common in phrases such as “sheepish look,” “sheepish grin,” and “look sheepish.” The word is more often used in informal English than in formal writing, although it is widely understood and carries a faintly humorous tone.
adjectiveEmbarrassed or abashed, especially in a way that appears awkward, timid, or sheepish. The word often describes a person who is uncomfortable after doing or realizing something foolish.
- Embarrassed or abashed in an awkward, timid, or self-conscious manner.
"He gave a sheepish grin when he admitted that he had forgotten her name."
"She looked sheepish after claiming she had never seen the film."
"The apology was delivered in a sheepish tone that made everyone uncomfortable."
“Sheepish” originally suggested the demeanor of a sheep; over time, it came to mean the bashful embarrassment of someone caught out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sheepish
The adjective was formed in the early 19th century from “sheep” and the suffix “-ish.” Its earliest sense was “sheep-like” or resembling a sheep in character. By the middle of the century, it had developed the figurative meaning “awkward, abashed, or bashful,” probably through the conventional association of sheep with shyness and timidity. The modern sense has become the word's principal use.
Related word forms
How sheepish is actually used
The expression is informal and mildly humorous. It is often used for embarrassment that seems mild or slightly ridiculous rather than for profound shame or grief.