scamper

verb scam·per \ ˈskam-pər \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: scamper in a Sentence

Definition of scamper

scampered; scampering play \ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ\

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

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Examples of scamper in a Sentence

The kids were scampering around the yard.
A mouse scampered across the floor.

Recent Examples of scamper from the Web

The ball wobbled out of his hand to cornerback Patrick Robinson, who cradled the interception, broke tackles and scampered for a 50-yard touchdown.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "Eagles fly past Vikings, set up Super Bowl LII showdown vs. Patriots," 21 Jan. 2018
Pripeton said one July morning as his son scampered around with other children on the playground.

— debbie truong, Washington Post, "Parents fear proposed regulations could jeopardize co-op preschools in Virginia," 10 July 2018
The foot bones of a toddler who died 3 million years ago show that baby pre-humans could both walk upright like modern humans and scamper up trees like apes, researchers said Wednesday.

— NBC News, "Baby feet: Toddler bones show pre-human kids scampered up trees," 4 July 2018
César Hernández led off with a hit and scampered to third on a wild pickoff attempt by Woodruff, setting up a run-scoring groundout by Rhys Hoskins.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Phillies 4, Brewers 3: Sloppy fifth inning proves costly as Brewers are denied a sweep," 10 June 2018
The gate then tips over, where the little guy wiggles his way to a more comfortable position before popping up to scamper away in glee.

— alexis hobbs, Woman's Day, "This Tiny Chihuahua Tackling a Gate is the Funniest Thing You'll See All Day," 10 Aug. 2015
Lost dogs and cats July 4 is typically the big jail break night for pooches and other pets, who may scamper when frightened by the sights and sounds of fireworks.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Here's your Fourth of July playbook for the Sacramento region," 3 July 2018
Matz booted the ball in his haste to field it as Rojas scampered home to cut the deficit to 3-1.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mets cash in repeatedly with two-out runs to sink Straily, Marlins," 1 July 2018
In a pioneering pop-up event, the graffiti king had taken over a shop in Westbourne Grove and filled it with live rats that scampered among the artworks in a failed attempt to discomfort the Notting Hill crowd.

— waldemar januszczak, A-LIST, "Kate Moss: The Golden Girl," 1 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of scamper

probably from obsolete Dutch schampen to flee, from Middle French escamper, from Italian scampare, from Vulgar Latin *excampare to decamp, from Latin ex- + campus field

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1685

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

scamper

noun

Definition of scamper

: a playful or hurried run or movement

Recent Examples of scamper from the Web

The 26-year-old tenor saxophonist has set most of these original compositions at a medium-fast tempo, and her saxophone stipples and scampers, gesturing toward the influence of the alto saxophonist Steve Lehman.

— New York Times, "The Playlist: John Mayer Laments the Friend Zone, and 11 More New Songs," 11 May 2018
Franks does hold the school record for the longest run by a Gators’ QB - a 79-yard scamper last season against Texas A&M.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Three things we learned during Gators' spring game," 15 Apr. 2018
The Patriots then ran out the clock, with Dion Lewis' 18-yard scamper with 90 seconds remaining sealing the victory.

— dennis waszak jr., San Antonio Express-News, "Brady leads Patriots back to Super Bowl, top Jaguars 24-20," 21 Jan. 2018
The Patriots then ran out the clock, with Dion Lewis’ 18-yard scamper with 90 seconds remaining sealing the victory.

— dennis waszak jr., The Seattle Times, "Tom Brady shakes off hand injury, leads another comeback to beat Jaguars for AFC title," 21 Jan. 2018
Michel ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries, the last of which was a 27-yard scamper for the game-winning score in double overtime.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "SI's 2017-18 All-Bowl Team," 10 Jan. 2018
Kenny Moore’s first career interception led to a seven-play, 50-yard drive by the Colts that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown scamper from Brissett, his fourth this season.

— zak keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Collapsing Colts now one loss from history," 14 Dec. 2017
Kenny Moore’s first career interception led to a seven-play, 50-yard drive by the Colts that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown scamper from Brissett, his fourth this season.

— zak keefer, USA TODAY, "Insider: Collapsing Colts now one loss from history," 14 Dec. 2017
Senior receiver Armanti Foreman capped the victory with and 18-yard touchdown scamper on the final touch of his volatile career.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas finishes season on a high note with bowl win over Missouri," 28 Dec. 2017