escapade

noun

es·​ca·​pade ˈe-skə-ˌpād How to pronounce escapade (audio)
: a usually adventurous action that runs counter to approved or conventional conduct

Did you know?

When it was first used in English, escapade referred to an act of escaping or fleeing from confinement or restraint. The relationship between escape and escapade does not end there. Both words derive from the Vulgar Latin verb excappare, meaning "to escape," a product of the Latin prefix ex- and the Late Latin noun cappa, meaning "head covering or cloak." While escape took its route through Anglo-French and Middle English, however, escapade made its way into English by way of the Spanish escapar ("to escape") and the French escapade.

Examples of escapade in a Sentence

As a teenager he embarked on a series of ill-advised escapades. their escapades at the prep school became the stuff of boarding-school legend
Recent Examples on the Web Big interrogates Kenny Boy, who decides to take the fall for the entire escapade as a way to protect the kids. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2023 After languishing on the waiting list for over a year and a half, securing it for his alpine escapade was akin to a triumphant victory lap. Paul Jebara, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023 Torch Haymaker Blend Gummies Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-pumping escapade with these exceptional gummies that will transport you to the exhilarating world of a 12-round boxing match! Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2023 Les Miserables by Victor Hugo The first of many books that Isaac reads while on the gang’s post-GCSE trip to Paris, Victor Hugo’s 19th century classic follows former prisoner Jean Valjean and his escapades across France. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2023 The sightings came on the heels of a bear escapade that unfolded about two weeks ago and involved a 200-pound juvenile that became known as Franklin after he was found roaming a street of the same name in Washington’s Brookland neighborhood. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 20 June 2023 This frisky escapade known as her Summer Carnival launched in June in England before hitting stateside in late July. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2023 This season of Rez Dogs, which is as well-reviewed as the first two, follows the quartet (focusing on Willie Jack, Elora, Bear, and Cheese) after their eventful and emotional escapade to California. Elle.com, ELLE, 2 Aug. 2023 And what was your takeaway from the escapades in Rome? Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escapade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, action of escaping, from Spanish escapada, from escapar to escape, from Vulgar Latin *excappare

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of escapade was in 1667

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Dictionary Entries Near escapade

Cite this Entry

“Escapade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escapade. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

escapade

noun
es·​ca·​pade ˈes-kə-ˌpād How to pronounce escapade (audio)
: a mischievous adventure

More from Merriam-Webster on escapade

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