scamp

noun

\ ˈskamp

Definition of scamp

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : rascal, rogue

2 : an impish or playful young person

scamp

verb

scamped; scamping; scamps

Definition of scamp (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to perform or deal with in a hasty, neglectful, or imperfect manner

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Examples of scamp in a Sentence

Noun

those little scamps are always getting into trouble, but no one has the heart to punish them an insincere and ruthlessly ambitious scamp who was willing to do anything to win the reality show's grand prize

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As her sibling Dorabella, Sarah Larsen not only has a wonderful combination of gentleness and power, but weaves the most compelling characterization onstage, the dutiful daughter morphing into a rebellious scamp. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, "Review: ‘Cosi fan tutte’ refuses to wilt on humid, stormy night," 15 July 2019 But the spirits are high (there is dancing on three occasions), and the cast — also including Telma Hopkins in a guest spot as M'Dear's sister and Warren Burke as Moz's brother Daniel, a familiar (but well-played) sort of scamp — is game. — Robert Lloyd, latimes.com, "Review: It’s not just ‘Stranger Things.’ Two new Netflix sitcoms have a nostalgic streak too," 2 July 2019 The four-legged scamp was also nearly blind from the wash. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "Felix the cat survives epic 35-minute battle with washing machine," 24 June 2019 For the former, Whitford played Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, the wily scamp with a bleeding heart of gold in Aaron Sorkin's legendary early-aughts White House drama. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bradley Whitford Is More Confused By His Handmaid's Tale Character Than You," 20 June 2019 Justin Bieber, the little scamp from across the northern border, might have worn a wedding band on the engagement finger while doing some laps in the West Village Thursday night, but he’s not getting married yet. — Kenzie Bryant, Vanities, "Justin Bieber Pump-Faked an Engagement," 22 June 2018 In this re-telling Don Quixote, two scamps traveling through 16th-century Spain will tell the adventures of the chivalrous nobleman. — Anchorage Daily News, "Coming up: Backyard Country BBQ, Alaska Hempfest and a night of island and reggae music," 21 June 2018 There’s not a single reality TV lunatic, soap opera scamp, or golfer. — Jason Gay, WSJ, "‘Dancing With the Stars’ Twirls to the Jocks," 29 Apr. 2018 Over the years, the scamps have bitten the ankles and trouser bottoms of a policeman, the Royal Clock Winder, a chauffeur and a member of the Grenadier Guard and a palace sentry. — William Booth, chicagotribune.com, "Queen Elizabeth II loses her last corgi, Willow, marking the end of a scrappy canine dynasty," 18 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Sunshine scamps: The Florida Project is a delighful, poignant, dark-and-light movie about kids living on the seedy side of Disney. — Rebecca Onion, Slate Magazine, "The Angle: Men Behaving Badly Edition," 6 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scamp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.