squeamish
/'skwi:miʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Easily nauseated or disgusted: Describes a person who feels sick, queasy, or repulsed very easily, especially by unpleasant sights, smells, or ideas. 2. Excessively fastidious or scrupulous: Describes a person who is overly sensitive, particular, or easily offended, especially regarding matters of morality, propriety, or taste.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: Describes a physical or emotional reaction of disgust or oversensitivity.
- She is too squeamish to watch medical dramas on television.
- I feel a bit squeamish about eating raw seafood.
- In Context: Often used to explain why someone avoids certain situations.
- His squeamish nature prevented him from becoming a surgeon.
- Don't be so squeamish; it's just a little dirt.
Advanced Usage
- "Squeamish about (something)": This is the most common construction, indicating the specific cause of the discomfort.
- Politicians are often squeamish about discussing tax increases.
- He's not squeamish about hard work, just about hypocrisy.
Variants and Related Words
- Squeamishly (adverb): In a squeamish manner.
- He squeamishly looked away from the screen.
- Squeamishness (noun): The quality or state of being squeamish.
- Her squeamishness is well-known among her friends.
Synonyms
- Queasy: Feeling nauseated.
- Fastidious: Very attentive to accuracy and detail; hard to please.
- Prudish: Easily shocked by matters related to sex or nudity.
- Sensitive: Easily offended or upset.
Antonyms
- Hardened: Desensitized, not easily shocked.
- Unfazed: Not disconcerted or perturbed.
- Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
Idioms and Phrases
- To have a squeamish stomach: To have a stomach that is easily upset.
- I have a squeamish stomach, so I avoid roller coasters.
- Nothing for the squeamish: A warning that something contains material likely to disgust or offend sensitive people.
- This documentary about insect life is nothing for the squeamish.
Adjective
- excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
- too nice about his food to take to camp cooking
- so squeamish he would only touch the toilet handle with his elbow