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sheepish

adjective

/ˈʃiːpɪʃ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of sheepish

Embarrassment or awkwardness, often due to feeling foolish or ashamed.
"He had a sheepish expression on his face after realizing his mistake."

Detailed meaning of sheepish

When someone is sheepish, they may feel uncomfortable and uncertain, and they may have a sense of unease or self-consciousness. The term "sheepish" can be used to describe a wide range of situations, such as when someone is caught doing something wrong, when someone is put on the spot, or when someone is feeling socially awkward. Sheepishness is often associated with a sense of humility, as someone who is sheepish is often aware of their own faults or limitations. Overall, the term "sheepish" suggests a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, often due to feeling foolish or ashamed, and it can be a way to describe a range of social and emotional situations.

Example sentences containing sheepish

1. She gave a sheepish smile when caught eating the last slice of pizza.
2. He felt sheepish when he forgot his friend's name at the party.
3. The dog looked sheepish after being scolded for chewing on the furniture.
4. She made a sheepish apology for being late to the meeting.
5. He felt sheepish wearing his mismatched socks to the office.
6. The child looked sheepish when caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

History and etymology of sheepish

The adjective 'sheepish' has an etymology that traces back to the behavior of sheep. It is rooted in the Old English word 'sceap,' which means 'sheep,' and 'sceapisc,' which meant 'resembling a sheep.' In the context of human behavior, 'sheepish' originally described someone who behaved like a sheep, implying a sense of timidity, meekness, or following the crowd. Over time, it evolved to describe a person's demeanor when they feel embarrassed or awkward, often due to feeling foolish or ashamed. This etymology draws a parallel between the submissive and bashful nature of sheep and the way people may lower their gaze or exhibit timid behavior when they find themselves in embarrassing or awkward situations, highlighting the evolution of language in capturing human emotions and experiences.

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Further usage examples of sheepish

1. He gave a sheepish shrug when asked about his low test score.
2. She felt a little sheepish about asking for a raise, but did it anyway.
3. He looked sheepish when he couldn't answer the teacher's question in class.
4. She had a sheepish expression when she realized she had left her phone at home.
5. He felt a little sheepish about wearing his superhero costume to the party.
6. After spilling coffee on his shirt in the meeting, he gave a sheepish smile, hoping to diffuse the tension.
7. She wore a sheepish expression when caught in a lie, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
8. His late arrival at the party left him feeling a bit sheepish as he made his way through the crowd of punctual guests.
9. She felt sheepish about forgetting her friend's birthday, especially since it was marked on her calendar.
10. His sheepish admission of guilt surprised everyone in the room, who had expected denial instead.
11. She couldn't help but feel a little sheepish after the mistake, which was unlike her usual flawless performance.
12. He turned sheepish when asked about his secret crush, revealing a side of vulnerability he rarely showed.
13. She gave a sheepish shrug when questioned about her actions, unable to offer a compelling explanation.
14. His sheepish apology, delivered with sincere regret, went a long way in mending the strained relationship.
15. She felt sheepish about her lack of knowledge on the topic, despite being an expert in other areas.
16. He avoided eye contact, appearing sheepish and uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the audience.
17. Her sheepish laughter filled the room after a minor blunder during her stand-up comedy performance.
18. He wore a sheepish grin after the embarrassing mishap, charming the onlookers with his self-deprecating humor.
19. She felt sheepish asking for help again, worried that she was becoming a burden to her friends.
20. His sheepish request for a favor was met with a friendly nod, as his friends were always willing to lend a hand.
21. She offered a sheepish explanation for her tardiness, citing unexpected traffic as the cause of her delay.
22. He looked sheepish when reminded of his past mistakes, acknowledging his growth since those blunders.
23. She felt a mix of relief and sheepishness after receiving better-than-expected test results, having doubted her abilities.
24. His sheepish expression betrayed his uncertainty as he stepped onto the stage for the first time.
25. She turned slightly sheepish when praised for her exceptional talent, humbly downplaying her achievements.