scamper

1 of 2

verb

scam·​per ˈskam-pər 

scampered; scampering ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

scamper

2 of 2

noun

: a playful or hurried run or movement

Synonyms

Verb

• trot
• jog
• run
• gallop
• hurry

Examples of scamper in a Sentence

Verb

The kids were scampering around the yard.

A mouse scampered across the floor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Allen scampered into the end zone for a two-yard rushing touchdown that cut Baltimore's lead to 34-25. —Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Facing a fourth-down sequence, quarterback Jareth Staine lobbed a pass over the top to Isaiah Rogers, who scampered to paydirt for a 24-yard touchdown reception to give the Golden Eagles an immediate 6-0 advantage. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

Noun

The biggest shot of damage came on Harvey’s 50-yard run that flipped the field and set up Dobbins’ 19-yard touchdown scamper. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025

Millie Schafer exits her back door, descends her deck stairs and scampers down a set of wooden steps on a backyard hillside, bracing herself on a tree trunk. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably from obsolete Dutch schampen to flee, from Middle French escamper, from Italian scampare, from Vulgar Latin *excampare to decamp, from Latin ex- + campus field

First Known Use

Verb

1685, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1697, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scamper

• camper
• damper
• hamper
• pamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

scamper

verb

scam·​per

ˈskam-pər

scampered; scampering

-p(ə-)riŋ

: to run lightly and usually playfully about

scamper noun