adj
squirrelly
SKWIH-ruh-lee
Squirrelly (adj) means Nervous, jumpy, or erratic in behaviour. Example: “He got squirrelly whenever the police were mentioned.”
adj
1
Nervous, jumpy, or erratic in behaviour.
"He got squirrelly whenever the police were mentioned."
2
Unpredictable or hard to control, as of a vehicle or situation.
"The car felt squirrelly on the icy road."
How to use squirrelly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJittery, unpredictable, or hard to control.
When to use it
Informal American English.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- squirrellier, more squirrelly
- Superlative
- squirrelliest, most squirrelly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He got _____ whenever the police were mentioned.
Etymology
From squirrel + -ly, first recorded around 1925, likely inspired by squirrels' erratic darting movements.
Rhymes for squirrelly
See all rhymes for squirrelly →Frequently asked questions
What does “squirrelly” mean?
The word “squirrelly” means nervous, jumpy, or erratic in behaviour. In plain terms, jittery, unpredictable, or hard to control.
How do you pronounce “squirrelly”?
“Squirrelly” is pronounced SKWIH-ruh-lee (/ˈskwɝli/ in IPA).
How do you use “squirrelly” in a sentence?
Here is “squirrelly” used in a sentence: “He got squirrelly whenever the police were mentioned.”
What part of speech is “squirrelly”?
“Squirrelly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “squirrelly” come from?
The word “squirrelly” dates back to around 1925. From squirrel + -ly, first recorded around 1925, likely inspired by squirrels' erratic darting movements.
How many meanings does “squirrelly” have?
“Squirrelly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nervous, jumpy, or erratic in behaviour.
