sheepish

adjective

sheep·​ish ˈshē-pish How to pronounce sheepish (audio)
1
: resembling a sheep: such as
a
: meek, timid
b
: stupid
2
: affected by or showing embarrassment caused by consciousness of a fault
a sheepish grin
sheepishly adverb
sheepishness noun

Examples of sheepish in a Sentence

He felt a little sheepish. a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The next person was passing through the gate, approaching the group with a sheepish smile. Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025 Everyone there loves to party, except for Saira (Shabana Azeez), the ruling queens’ only daughter, a sheepish 23-year-old with extreme self-esteem issues. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 8 July 2025 Then Dimitrov suffered what looked like a serious pectoral injury on a serve in the third set and, just like that, Sinner advanced in the most sheepish way possible. Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Goldberg, in response, slowly turned back to face the camera with a sheepish look on her face. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheepish

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheepish was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheepish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheepish. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sheepish

adjective
sheep·​ish ˈshē-pish How to pronounce sheepish (audio)
1
: resembling a sheep (as in being meek or shy)
2
: embarrassed especially over being found out in a fault
a sheepish look
sheepishly adverb
sheepishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sheepish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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