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

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

However, both can be indecisive and flighty, so a commitment may take some time. —Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024

These are worthy questions that Honoré asks but never really answers, opting instead for in-jokes, homages, cameos and a flighty narrative that fails to sustain his film’s high-concept premise. —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Eight verses, sung in syrupy low notes and flighty harmonies, paint scenes of cyclical conflict and resolution. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 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