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scurry

verb
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scur·​ry | \ ˈskər-ē How to pronounce scurry (audio) , ˈskə-rē \
scurried; scurrying

Definition of scurry

intransitive verb

1 : to move in or as if in a brisk pace : scamper
2 : to move around in an agitated, confused, or fluttering manner
Other Words from scurry Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about scurry

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Other Words from scurry

scurry noun

Examples of scurry in a Sentence

She scurried off to finish the job. Mice scurried around the house.
Recent Examples on the Web Video monitors were set up to enable the staff to keep watch over patients whenever a nurse had to scurry away to care for someone else. — Arkansas Online, "'Like a bathtub filling up': Alabama is slammed by the virus," 30 Dec. 2020 Like a gardener’s guardian angel, Texas spiny lizards can spot garden insects from their perches up high and scurry down to make a meal of those pests. — René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, "Texas spiny lizard not as famous as the Texas horned lizard or horny toad, but is a master of disguise with real spunk," 22 Dec. 2020 Few people scurry through public areas or cluster in conversation. — Lenny Bernstein, Washington Post, "Inside a hospital as the coronavirus surges: Where will all the patients go?," 29 Nov. 2020 While the story inside the new attraction is the same as in the original ride (visitors are shrunk down to size of rats and scurry through restaurant scenes), the area outside will not be the same. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney: Epcot hasn’t revved up ‘Ratatouille’ ride yet," 27 Nov. 2020 Foxes and mink hunt voles and mice, which scurry beneath the snow. — Kerri Westenberg, Star Tribune, "In Fergus Falls, Minn., a prairie paradise for snowshoeing, hiking," 6 Nov. 2020 All in all, even while direct listings seek to lower the overall fees paid to bankers, 2020 has been a bang-up year for the group as companies scurry not only to complete deals, but also raise funding through bond and equity sales. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "It’s direct listing day," 30 Sep. 2020 The fate of your toes—dry or drenched—can mean the difference between enjoying the rest of the day and having to scurry back indoors to wait out the storm. — Lindsey Olander, Condé Nast Traveler, "9 Rain Boots That Won't Take Up Your Whole Suitcase," 25 Aug. 2020 Heineman ran the dancing Andrus back toward third but didn’t make a quick throw to shortstop Brandon Crawford and finally threw to Solano, who was trying to scurry to the bag. — John Shea, SFChronicle.com, "Giants beat Rangers, Donovan Solano continues to pound the ball," 1 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scurry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of scurry

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for scurry

short for hurry-scurry, reduplication of hurry

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Time Traveler for scurry

Time Traveler

The first known use of scurry was in 1810

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Statistics for scurry

Last Updated

17 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Scurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurry. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for scurry

scurry

verb
How to pronounce scurry (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of scurry

: to move quickly and with short steps

See the full definition for scurry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scurry

verb
scur·​ry | \ ˈskər-ē How to pronounce scurry (audio) \
scurried; scurrying

Kids Definition of scurry

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to move quickly … the stories were the kind that made people scurry past his house even in broad daylight …— Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses

scurry

noun
plural scurries

Kids Definition of scurry (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act of moving quickly One wild scurry and Willie burst out into the sunlight.— Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill

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More from Merriam-Webster on scurry

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scurry

Nglish: Translation of scurry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scurry for Arabic Speakers

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