scamper

1 of 2

verb

scam·​per ˈskam-pər How to pronounce scamper (audio)
scampered; scampering ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce scamper (audio)
Synonyms of scampernext

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

scamper

2 of 2

noun

: a playful or hurried run or movement

Examples of scamper in a Sentence

Verb The kids were scampering around the yard. A mouse scampered across the floor.
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.
Verb
Killing birds, scampering around the crawl space at night, making the local coyotes snarl at Charlie’s SUV… everything Katie does has to be deniable enough for her parents to roll with it, a story choice that defangs Cronin’s ability to let loose. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026 The Georgian winger then held his shot, instead scampering past Mamardashvili before calmly slotting the ball into the net. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
In late March, turtles sun themselves at the river's edge; Gambel's quail scamper between the rocks. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 Along the neural pathways of his multisystem scampers chaos as of eight voices—nine, for his brain is no idle onlooker. Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Longreads, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scamper

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1685, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1697, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scamper was in 1685

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scamper. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

scamper

verb
scam·​per
ˈskam-pər
scampered; scampering
-p(ə-)riŋ
: to run lightly and usually playfully about
scamper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scamper

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