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)

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
Swift made a few Commanders defenders miss and scampered for a 55-yard touchdown. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Andrew Greif Kansas City's Hollywood Brown caught a nifty shovel pass from Patrick Mahomes and Detroit couldn't keep up with the Chiefs' pre-snap misdirection, allowing Brown to scamper into the end zone after nine yards for a 20-10 lead over Detroit. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
The senior captain broke off a 25-yard scamper with a keeper to set his team up in enemy territory, then hit Ben Allen for a 26-yard touchdown pass on the next play as the Mustangs increased their lead to 17-0 with eight minutes left in the frame. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Murphy added an 18-yard third-period scoring pass to Buckhalter, who caught a pair of TDs and ran for another, an 11-yard scamper on the first play of the third period, which gave the Warriors a comfortable 38-17 cushion. Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025 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 17 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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