scaredy

adj, noun — 2 senses

scaredy

adj

Etymology Back-formation from scaredy-cat, equivalent to scared + -y.

1

Informal Characterised by being timorous or afraid.

Prescott's sister calls him a scaredy kitten because he's afraid of the dark.1992, Penguin Books, Scaredy Kitten:
"Wait, Rufus!" cried the child. "Are you afraid of a bunny rabbit? You are such a scaredy dog!1994, Stephen H. Lemberg, Scaredy dog:

1 more example

“Yeah! They're scaredy chickens!” Rocko said. “It's scaredy cats, you lunkhead!” Pinball said.2007, Chris McMahen, Klutzhood, page 64:

Related terms: scaredy pants

scaredy

noun

Etymology Back-formation from scaredy-cat, equivalent to scared + -y.

1

Informal A coward.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.