flighty

adjective

ˈflī-tē 

flightier; flightiest

1

: swift

2

: lacking stability or steadiness:

a

: easily upset : volatile

a flighty temper

b

: easily excited : skittish

a flighty horse

c

: capricious, silly

flightily

ˈflī-tə-lē 

adverb

flightiness

ˈflī-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• excitable
• fiddle-footed
• fluttery
• high-strung
• hyper
• hyperactive
• hyperexcitable
• hyperkinetic
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• skittery
• skittish
• spasmodic
• spooky

Examples of flighty in a Sentence

an actress who specializes in playing silly, flighty women

you have to be quiet while the deer are grazing, as they are flighty animals and will run if they hear you

Recent Examples on the Web

But to me, the ultimate foundation is humility, being grounded, having your feet really connected to the earth — not being too flighty and too knowing of everything. —Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024

Her exceptional debut album was 2022’s Hypnos, a flighty R&B piece featuring Steve Lacy, Kaytranada, and Fousheé, among others. —Madelyn Dawson, SPIN, 14 Aug. 2024

The smoky timber of Okonedo’s voice endows Regina with a queenly confidence, despite her flighty circumstances. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024

This is the book’s signature blend: ardent and undying curiosity, mixed with equal parts wit, courage and respect for her (flighty) subjects. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

flighty

adjective

ˈflīt-ē 

flightier; flightiest

1

: easily excited : skittish

flighty horses

2

: silly sense 3, frivolous

flightily

ˈflīt-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

flightiness

ˈflīt-ē-nəs 

noun