scamper

verb scam·per \ ˈskam-pər \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of scamper

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

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

See scamper defined for English-language learners

See scamper defined for kids

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

Eduardo Nunez hit one considerably harder in the same direction that skipped high off the base and rolled into the corner in left for a double as Bogaerts scampered home with the tying run.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Red Sox's two-out barrage, Ramirez's homer spoil Trevor Richards' debut for Marlins," 3 Apr. 2018
While their children scampered around in the dirt, Tungheka’s women sat weaving little string bags from a natural life fiber.

— jon lee anderson, Condé Nast Traveler, "Stepping Beyond Cartagena: Exploring Colombia's Northern Reaches," 21 Mar. 2018
At one point, as Ulbing swerved around it, the squirrel froze momentarily, before finally scampering out of the way to allow Ulbing to finish.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "A squirrel with a death wish? Reckless rodent upstages Olympic snowboard run | Miami Herald," 24 Feb. 2018
Within 30 seconds after scampering onto the field, the wiry-haired Stewart has already lifted his leg and peed on a stuffed toy; moments earlier, the shaggy black Betty sniffed an opponent's butt and pooped on the 50-yard line.

— patrick ryan, USA TODAY, "Exclusive: Animal Planet starts 'Dog Bowl,' a new breed of football game," 4 Jan. 2018
But some of my favorite rides involve scampering from my Bronx abode and onto the dirt trails just to the north of me in the suburbs of Westchester county.

— eben weiss, Outside Online, "The Average Driver Is More Deadly Than a Rabid Coyote," 21 Mar. 2018
Prairie falcons and long-eared owls feed on rodents scampering over still-visible tracks left by Gen. George Patton's tanks at a training camp during World War II.

— louis sahagun, latimes.com, "By ordering new land-use plan, Trump could spark a fight in California deserts," 16 Mar. 2018
This weed scampers along the soil surface to get about 2 feet wide.

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Winter annual weeds ready to bloom, spread," 9 Mar. 2018
These scampering imps are a distracting intrusion that shifts one’s attention away from the singers at crucial moments in the drama.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Splendid cast gives Gounod his due in muddled 'Faust' at Lyric Opera," 4 Mar. 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

See Words from the same year