romp

[ romp ]

verb (used without object)

1. to play or frolic in a lively or boisterous manner.

   Synonyms: gambol

2. to run or go rapidly and without effort, as in racing.
3. to win easily.

noun

1. a lively or boisterous frolic.

   Synonyms: gambol

2. a person who romps.
3. a quick or effortless pace:

   The work was easy, and he went through it in a romp.

4. an effortless victory.

romp

/ rɒmp /

verb

1. to play or run about wildly, boisterously, or joyfully
2. romp home or romp in
   to win a race easily

noun

1. a noisy or boisterous game or prank
2. an instance of sexual activity between two or more people that is entered into light-heartedly and without emotional commitment

   naked sex romps

3. archaic.
   Also calledromper a playful or boisterous child, esp a girl
4. an easy victory

Derived Forms

• ˈrompish, adjective

Other Words From

• romping·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of romp¹

1700–10; perhaps variant of ramp ¹ (v.); compare obsolete ramp rough woman, literally, one who ramps

Word History and Origins

Origin of romp¹

C18: probably variant of ramp , from Old French ramper to crawl, climb

Example Sentences

He has a gift for making older works, such as “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch” “and “A Soldier’s Play,” seem newly minted.

From Los Angeles Times

Part screwball comedy, part one-crazy-night romp, “Anora” won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, making Baker the first American to claim the prize since Terrence Malick did for “The Tree of Life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Realistically, this contest was ended by England’s romp through the Sri Lanka batting line-up on Friday, yet the prospect of a moment of history ensured an electric atmosphere on a murky Saturday.

From BBC

“Clue: Live on Stage?” is a possibility I would never have thought to ask about, but it’s safe to say the target audience for this commercial romp isn’t a theater critic with Shakespeare and Sondheim yearnings.

From Los Angeles Times

PBS, which might want to call an emergency meeting with the producers of “Appropriate,” did a great service in presenting another contender for play revival, Ossie Davis’ “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cavort
• frolic
• gambol
• prance