romp

1 of 2

noun

ˈrämp How to pronounce romp (audio)
ˈrȯmp
Synonyms of rompnext
1
a
: high-spirited, carefree, and boisterous play
Tired from his romp, Wilbur lay down in the clean straw.E. B. White
b
: something suggestive of such play: such as
(1)
: a light fast-paced narrative, dramatic, or musical work usually in a comic mood
This silly comic Christmas romp is ably performed …Matthew Yde
(2)
: an episode of lovemaking
… a honeymoon romp on a Caribbean beach.Andrew M. Greeley
2
: an easy winning pace
also : runaway sense 3
The game turned into a romp.
3
: one that romps
especially : a romping girl or woman

romp

2 of 2

verb

romped; romping; romps

intransitive verb

1
: to run or play in a lively, carefree, or boisterous manner
2
: to move or proceed in a brisk, easy, or playful manner
romped through the early rounds of the tournament
3
: to win a contest easily
romped to a 21-6 victory

Examples of romp in a Sentence

Noun The dogs love a good romp through the woods. The game turned into a romp in the second half. His latest film is a wildly amusing romp. Verb The kids were romping in the yard. the kids romped on the lawn until dinner was ready
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Marvel faithful will appreciate the seeds the show planted to kick off Phase Four of the MCU, and the Marvel uninitiated will enjoy watching Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany engage in a playful romp, pleasures that were denied their characters during their earlier movies. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026 So the pair took a romp through wine country for Christina’s birthday, clinking glasses at Progeny Winery in Napa Valley and Restoration Hardware in Yountville. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
With a 56-22 dismantling of Oregon, Indiana has romped through this College Football Playoff like nothing the sport has seen in years, if ever. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026 Buchloh’s best essays romp through the history of genres—the female nude, the family portrait, the history painting, the Romantic landscape—to show how Richter’s work mines the past for the future. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for romp

Word History

Etymology

Noun

partly alteration of ramp entry 5; partly alteration of ramp bold woman

Verb

alteration of ramp entry 4

First Known Use

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of romp was in 1662

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Romp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romp. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

romp

1 of 2 noun
: rough and noisy play : frolic

romp

2 of 2 verb
: to play in a rough and noisy way

More from Merriam-Webster on romp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!