scout

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈskau̇t 

scouted; scouting; scouts

intransitive verb

1

: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)

2

a

: to make a search

b

: to work as a talent scout

transitive verb

1

: to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate

2

: to explore in order to obtain information

3

: to find by making a search

scout

2 of 3

noun

plural scouts

1

a

: one sent to obtain information

especially : a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter

b

: watchman, lookout

c sports

(1)

: a person sent out to secure firsthand information about the style of play, tactics, and strength of a rival

(2)

: a person sent out to obtain information about players by watching them in action with a view to making recommendations about the acquisition of players

d

: talent scout

2

a

: the act of scouting

b

: a scouting expedition : reconnaissance

3

often Scout : a member of any of various scouting movements: such as

a

: a member of the Scouting America program for children usually 11 to 17 years of age

b

: girl scout

4

: individual, person

—used chiefly in the phrase good scout

scout

3 of 3

verb (2)

scouted; scouting; scouts

transitive verb

1

: mock

2

: to reject scornfully

… scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehood.

—Mark Twain

intransitive verb

: scoff

Synonyms of scout

Noun

• person
• guy
• man
• life
• creature
• bird

Verb (2)

• mock
• ridicule

Examples of scout in a Sentence

Noun

you're a good scout

Verb (2)

the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Players were scouted using USA TODAY’s Super 25 rankings, with a focus on athletes from states that have led the charge in piloting girls’ high school flag football. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025

The hotel is a short walk from the Jericho Tavern, where Radiohead played its first gig, in 1986, and around the corner from a now shuttered HMV, in whose aisles Donwood and Yorke once loitered, scouting the competition. —Zoe Si, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025

Noun

In an attempt to track down these aspiring Zuckerbergs, Bay Area venture-capital firms host elaborate dinners for young tech workers and hire undergraduate scouts at elite colleges to keep tabs on promising talent. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2025

Chubb, in particular, mentioned that Ewers had already shown flashes of promise as a scout team quarterback. —Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French escuter to listen, from Latin auscultare — more at auscultation

Verb (2)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skūti taunt; akin to Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing scout

• good scout
• scout car
• talent scout

Rhymes for scout

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout

Kids Definition

scout

1 of 3 verb

ˈskau̇t 

1

: to go about and observe in search of information : reconnoiter

2

a

: to make a search

scout about for firewood

b

: to find by searching

scouted up the necessary supplies

scout

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: one sent to obtain information and especially to survey in preparation for military action in war

b

: a person who searches for talented newcomers

a baseball scout

2

: the act or an instance of scouting : reconnaissance

3

often capitalized

a

: boy scout

b

: girl scout

4

: individual entry 2 sense 2, person

you're a good scout

scout

3 of 3 verb

1

: deride, mock

2

: to reject as foolish

Etymology

Verb

Middle English scouten "to explore an area for information," from early French escouter "to listen," from Latin auscultare "to listen"

Verb

of Scandinavian origin