helter-skelter

1 of 3

adverb

hel·​ter-skel·​ter ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər How to pronounce helter-skelter (audio)
1
: in undue haste, confusion, or disorder
ran helter-skelter, getting in each other's wayF. V. W. Mason
2
: in a haphazard manner

helter-skelter

2 of 3

noun

1
: a disorderly confusion : turmoil
2
British : a spiral slide around a tower at an amusement park

helter-skelter

3 of 3

adjective

1
: confusedly hurried : precipitate
2
: marked by a lack of order or plan : haphazard
the helter-skelter arrangement of the papers, all mussed and frayedJean Stafford

Examples of helter-skelter in a Sentence

Adverb the sheep ran helter-skelter inside their pen when the coyote appeared in their midst goods arranged helter-skelter on the shelves of the variety store Noun in the helter-skelter at the amusement park the child got separated from his parents Adjective a bill that was pushed through committee in a last-minute helter-skelter burst of legislative activity papers, books, and unopened mail were stacked helter-skelter on the desk
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Sometime late last week, spray-paint-wielding intruders turned the pink walls of this seven-bedroom mansion into a helter-skelter canvas of pop art, obscure quotations and political insinuations — the third hillside home in Los Angeles to be defaced in recent days. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 The helter-skelter Draft Day trades that netted the Warriors Post with the 52nd pick is not yet finalized. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 June 2024 With Spectrum Center closed for renovations, the Hornets have been displaced somewhat, making things helter-skelter. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2024 The Generals fed off each other with the helter-skelter defense. Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2024 In the contemporary, helter-skelter sweep of Mexico City, there is one place — in the southern borough of Xochimilco — where a vision of a watery, pre-Columbian capital may still be imagined. Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The helter-skelter start has the Warriors (27-26) emerging from the All-Star break in 10th place in the West at .500. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 Or, a helter-skelter museum dedicated to beer and Bigfoot. The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2024 That helter-skelter transition threw much of the economics of entertainment out of whack. Jake Coyle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2023
Adjective
The opening quarter-hour produced a fast but helter-skelter showing. The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023 After a helter-skelter start, Mr. Vovk and his top managers reorganized. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helter-skelter.' 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

Adverb

perhaps from Middle English skelten to come, go

First Known Use

Adverb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of helter-skelter was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near helter-skelter

Cite this Entry

“Helter-skelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helter-skelter. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

helter-skelter

adverb
hel·​ter-skel·​ter
ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər
1
: in a confused and reckless manner : pell-mell
ran helter-skelter down the hill
2
: in no particular order : haphazardly
clothes strewn helter-skelter about the room
helter-skelter adjective

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