Skeered / Skeert
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Skeered" means scared or afraid - a shorter, very common regional pronunciation of "scared."
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synonyms: afraid, scared
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, you'll hear 'skeered' or "skeert' for sure. Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you're out in the country, you'll hear 'skeered' or "skeert' for sure. Pronunciation
[SKEERD] /skɪrd/
Meaning & Usage
- Afraid or scared (adjective)
June:
You going in that dark barn?
You going in that dark barn?
Caleb:
No way - I’m skeered of bats.
No way - I’m skeered of bats.★ "Skeered" is the shorter, more widespread Southern/Appalachian form of "askeered," both meaning "scared." The "a-" prefix dropped over time, leaving "skeered" as the go-to everyday version.
See also: Askeered. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English dialect forms blending "a-" + "scared," common in Scots-Irish and rural British speech. "Skeered" emerged as a simplified pronunciation carried into Appalachian and Southern speech.
Usage Notes
Still widely heard in Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it’s recognized as a folksy or humorous pronunciation but instantly understood as "scared."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "skeered" - often runs together with the "r" lightly rolled or softened, especially in rural speech.