SKIP TO CONTENT

coltish

/ˈkoʊltɪʃ/
IPA guide

Other forms: coltishly

An energetic, playful person can be described as coltish. A coltish preschooler might skip happily across the room and then slide to a stop in her socks.

There's something a little young and awkward implied in the word coltish, which arose in the 14th century from the sense of a colt, or young horse, as a lively, frolicking, long-legged creature. Skinny-legged teenagers dashing around a mall are coltish, and a soccer team of five year-olds is made up of happy, coltish players.

Definitions of coltish
  1. adjective
    given to merry frolicking
    playful
    full of fun and high spirits
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘coltish'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family