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 of scamper

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

Moa scooped up the ball after Bachmeier coughed it up inside the ASU 1 and scampered over the goal line to put BYU up 7-0. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

As a result, only Makoto’s eight-year-old brother Kenji goes with the other family, and upon arrival at the campsite, scampers around excitedly with a butterfly net, while being warned not to wander too far. — James Marsh, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

Gordon again ran hard Sunday, fueling Miami’s first TD drive with a 25-yard scamper and finishing with 103 yards on 25 carries (including a touchdown) and helping seal the game with runs of 14 and 7 yards to begin Miami’s final possession. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Cam Skattebo had a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and his 42-yard scamper to set up Singletary’s game-winning run. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

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