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
While Minnelli, 79, pens darker moments of grief and addiction, her memoir is an overall romp through a life in showbiz, complete with plenty of witty zingers. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 Until now, his detective franchise has been a romp. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Trump and Republicans last year aggressively ramped up policies favorable to fossil fuels after romping to an electoral victory in 2024 on a promise to lower the cost of living, including by quelling gas prices. Garrett Downs, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026 Duke romped to a 17-1 conference record, and it’s perched atop the AP poll as college basketball enters its postseason. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster