scurry

[ skur-ee, skuhr-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, scur·ried, scur·ry·ing.

1. to go or move quickly or in haste.

verb (used with object)

, scur·ried, scur·ry·ing.

1. to send hurrying along.

noun

, plural scur·ries.

1. a scurrying rush:

   the scurry of little feet on the stairs.

2. a short run or race.

scurry

/ ˈskʌrɪ /

verb

1. to move about or proceed hurriedly
2. intr to whirl about

noun

1. the act or sound of scurrying
2. a brisk light whirling movement, as of snow
3. horse racing a short race or sprint

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurry¹

First recorded in 1800–10; extracted from hurry-scurry

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurry¹

C19: probably shortened from hurry-scurry

Example Sentences

It has also caused a panicked scurry for antiviral drug remdesivir, which became a popular therapy option as India’s case count kept surging past all previous records.

From Quartz

Scurry suffered a career-ending concussion in an April 2010 hit playing for the Washington Freedom.

From Washington Blade

Some are homes and some are pump houses, and you can only tell the difference when you see human silhouettes scurry on rooftops.

From The Daily Beast

There is a constant flow of ambulances bringing in wounded while doctors scurry to save them.

From The Daily Beast

He gazed down at the local track bed and saw something sleek and fat scurry under a rail.

From The Daily Beast

I feel like I am in a John Le Carré novel and scurry into the tavern in hopes of avoiding an “international incident.”

From The Daily Beast

People scurry past me while eating freshly roasted corn on the cob.

From The Daily Beast

She bent above the page, and in the fever of her interest seemed to pounce on it and scurry over it.

From Project Gutenberg

The squad took advantage of the confusion to drop their burden and scurry out of sight in the throng.

From Project Gutenberg

A sleepy beetle dropped on its back; he turned it over and watched it scurry across the grass.

From Project Gutenberg

We had to scurry out in a hurry to avoid being penned there.

From Project Gutenberg

In the hurry and scurry that ensued, Sandy escaped sadly to the square.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bustle
• dart
• dash
• hurry
• rip
• scamper
• scoot
• scuttle
• sprint
• whisk
• zip