scamper

[ skam-per ]

verb (used without object)

1. to run or go hastily or quickly.
2. to run playfully about, as a child.

noun

1. a scampering; a quick run.

scamper

/ ˈskæmpə /

verb

1. to run about playfully
2. often foll by through to hurry quickly through (a place, task, book, etc)

noun

1. the act of scampering

Derived Forms

• ˈscamperer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scamper¹

1680–90; obsolete scamp to go ( scamp ) + -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of scamper¹

C17: probably from scamp (vb); see scamp ¹

Example Sentences

Sauteur d’Alfort rabbits aren’t the only animal to adopt an odd scamper if there’s a mutation to this gene, known as RORB.

From Science News

With faces painted and bandannas wrapped around their heads, pro-Morsi kids scamper around the Rabaa mosque sit-in.

From The Daily Beast

The children scamper around the empty clinic lobby in tiaras, filling the place with laughter.

From The Daily Beast

When fighting flares over Gaza, world leaders and pundits scamper to the same old and feeble solution: a ceasefire.

From The Daily Beast

Still, they scamper after their generalissimo in the end, and meanwhile he is much too dignified to look back.

From Project Gutenberg

A great scamper ensued, as you may imagine, and then from each German trench burst out a heavy rifle fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Herds of deer scamper across its grassy slopes, and afford excellent stalking to the hospitable owner and his guests.

From Project Gutenberg

But how those astounded artillery men—those of them who could run at all—did scamper out of there.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a quick scamper of feet as Will stepped out, then silence!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bolt
• dart
• hurry
• romp
• scoot
• scurry
• scuttle
• skip
• sprint
• trot
• zip