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.

Pronunciation

[SKEERD] /skɪrd/

Meaning & Usage

- Afraid or scared (adjective)

June:

You going in that dark barn?

Caleb:

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

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.

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.

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Common Questions

Is "skeered" wrong?

In standard English yes, but in dialect it’s authentic with deep historical roots.

How does it relate to "askeered"?

"Askeered" is the older, longer form; "skeered" is the shorter, everyday form. Both mean "scared."

Is it still used today?

Yes - especially among older speakers, in humorous writing, or in self-aware rural speech.