scamp

[ skamp ]

noun

1. an unscrupulous and often mischievous person; rascal; rogue; scalawag.
2. a playful, mischievous, or naughty young person; upstart.
3. a grouper, Mycteroperca phenax, of Florida: so called from its habit of stealing bait.

verb (used with object)

1. to do or perform in a hasty or careless manner:

   to scamp work.

scamp

¹

/ skæmp /

noun

1. an idle mischievous person; rascal
2. a mischievous child

scamp

²

/ skæmp /

verb

1. a less common word for skimp

Derived Forms

• ˈscampish, adjective
• ˈscamper, noun

Other Words From

• scamper noun
• scamping·ly adverb
• scampish adjective
• scampish·ly adverb
• scampish·ness noun
• un·scamped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scamp¹

1775–85; obsolete scamp to travel about idly or for mischief, perhaps < obsolete Dutch schampen to be gone < Old French escamper to decamp

Word History and Origins

Origin of scamp¹

C18: from scamp (vb) to be a highway robber, probably from Middle Dutch schampen to decamp, from Old French escamper, from es- ex- ¹+ -camper, from Latin campus field

Example Sentences

He cultivated a reputation as a beloved scamp who did what he wanted.

From New York Times

To the end, he treats Bankman-Fried as sort of an endearing scamp who got in over his head, essentially by an adorable habit of inattention.

From Los Angeles Times

Hopefully, Joshua watched “The Mandalorian” when he was young, because this little scamp is going to try his patience, or, you know, annihilate existence as we know it.

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout his career, he delighted in being a newsroom scamp.

From Washington Post

Still in his younger scamp days, George W. Bush lifted his pant leg to show off his cowboy boots and proudly declared that he was the black sheep of the family.

From New York Times