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squeamish Definition

squeam·ish (skwē′mis̸h)

adjective

  1. having a digestive system that is easily upset; easily nauseated; queasy
  2. easily shocked or offended; prudish
  3. excessively fastidious; oversensitive

Etymology: ME squaymysch, earlier squaimous < Anglo-Fr escoimous, orig., disdainful, shy

squeamish Related Forms
squeam′·ishly adverb squeam′·ish·ness noun
squeamish Synonyms

squeamish

modif.

finicky, fussy, mincing, delicate, dainty, qualmish, fastidious, hypercritical, particular, exacting, oversensitive, prim, prudish, strait-laced, puritanical, priggish, easily nauseated, readily disgusted, easily shocked, queasy, persnickety*, prissy*; see also particular 3. See syn. study at particular.

squeamish Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • thing: People have got to stop being squeamish about these things.
  • matter: It is probably time for linguists to be less squeamish about matters which most scientists take completely for granted.

Preposition: at

  • sight: We humans have a tendency to be squeamish at the sight of blood or injury.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • feel: Do these images make you feel a bit squeamish?

Modifies a noun

  • disposition: Some of the artwork on this website might not be suitable for children, or those of a squeamish disposition.
  • reader: I must warn squeamish readers to look away now.
  • nature: If you are of a squeamish nature, this book may not be for you.

Modifying Another Word

  • too: Are you too squeamish to be a 17th century surgeon?
  • so: I am not so squeamish about pain as that.
  • not: You're not squeamish about that kind of thing, are ya?
  • very: Shelly gets very squeamish at this point, apparently honestly.
  • little: If you're a little squeamish, I also suggest you have a cushion nearby.
  • really: I freaked out completely at the sight of the open wound cos Im really squeamish at the best of times.

Used with adjective complement

  • get: Shelly gets very squeamish at this point, apparently honestly.
  • feel: If anyone is thinking about lenses but feels squeamish, I would encourage them to go for it.
  • become: Mr Snowball said one of the reasons there were more claims was because society was becoming more squeamish.