scamper

1 of 2

verb

scam·​per ˈskam-pər 

scampered; scampering ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

scamper

2 of 2

noun

: a playful or hurried run or movement

Synonyms of scamper

Verb

• trot
• jog
• run
• gallop
• hurry

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

Verb

Such a sequence leads to their third goal, as the two midfielders combine, escape the pressure, and open up space for Luis to scamper forward and find a floated pass for Emersonn to score. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Cronenworth found a hole through the third baseman and the shortstop when Xander Bogaerts tried to scamper home. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

The following fall, Pryor turned a 12-yard dig route into an 80-yard scamper down the sideline during a 36-27 playoff loss to Richmond Senior. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Ehlinger helped extend drives with his feet, including a 9-yard scamper that set up a field goal in the fourth quarter. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for scamper

• camper
• damper
• hamper
• pamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

scamper

verb

scam·​per

ˈskam-pər

scampered; scampering

-p(ə-)riŋ

: to run lightly and usually playfully about

scamper noun