Standard Lemma guide

coltish

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Resembling a colt, especially:

Lively, playful and undisciplined (often in a manner judged to be immature).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: exuberant, frisky, frolicsome, high-spirited, spirited, unrestrained

Antonyms: serious, sober

2

adj

Meaning 2

Resembling a colt, especially:

Tall, thin and awkward (especially of an older child or adolescent).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: gangly

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

given to merry frolicking

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • frolicsome students celebrated their graduation with parties and practical jokes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: frolicsome, frolicky, rollicking, sportive

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English coltyssh. By surface analysis, colt + -ish.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: весел (vesel) — lively and playful; frisky
  • Bulgarian: игрив (igriv) — lively and playful; frisky
  • Finnish: riehakas — lively and playful; frisky