Sheepishly - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sheepishly means behaving in an embarrassed or bashful manner, often due to shyness or guilt. It describes someone acting awkwardly, as if trying to avoid attention after a mistake or awkward situation.
Definition:
In a shy or embarrassed manner due to guilt or awkwardness.
Synonyms:
bashfully, timidly, abashedly, self-consciously
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
confidently, boldly, unashamedly
Common Collocations:
smile sheepishly, laugh sheepishly, admit sheepishly, look sheepishly, shrug sheepishly
Derivatives:
sheepishness, sheepish (adj.)
Usage Tips:
Use "sheepishly" to describe someone’s awkward or guilty reaction to a situation.
Common Phrases:
grin sheepishly, apologize sheepishly, duck one's head sheepishly
Etymology:
Derived from "sheepish," meaning timid or embarrassed like a sheep (early 14th century).
Examples:
- 1. He smiled sheepishly after forgetting her name again.
- 2. She admitted sheepishly that she had eaten the last cookie.
- 3. The child looked sheepishly at his broken toy on the floor.
- 4. He laughed sheepishly when caught daydreaming in class.