scurry

verb

scur·ry | \ˈskər-ē,

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

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Examples of scurry in a Sentence

She scurried off to finish the job. Mice scurried around the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the 19th century, when the Irish potato famine sent all who could scurrying for the New World, a large Irish population had been growing in Northern California. — Jordan Cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "How some Sacramentans will celebrate Independence Day in a town 4,000 miles from U.S.," 1 July 2018 Take Leslie Davidson: She was born and raised in the Emerald City, where 155 days of rain a year and temperatures above 73 degrees send people scurrying for shelter or shade. — Christine Clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Save time, stay dry on foot in Seattle’s ‘hidden’ passageways and tunnels," 30 May 2018 The canine officer appeared to be putting equipment into his cruiser around 8: 30 p.m. when the bolt struck, causing him to scurry inside his car. — David Harris, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Watch the moment a lightning strike hit Apopka police headquarters, putting scare into officer," 27 June 2018 In a video, as a seal approaches a penguin colony, only the penguins closest scurry away while the remainder stay in place, unperturbed. — Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, "Breeding King Penguins Move Like Liquid Molecules," 8 Apr. 2018 Just 20 seconds after Fowler’s birdie on the 18th, Reed, who plays with a placid urgency, sent his long birdie putt scurrying across the side of an embankment in the middle of the green. — Tim Layden, SI.com, "Patrick Reed Can't Be Denied as He Bucks Convention to Win at Augusta," 8 Apr. 2018 Investors scurried into safe assets like U.S. government bonds. — Adam Shell, USA TODAY, "Dow drops sharply as Italy political turmoil spooks investors," 29 May 2018 One of the other guests crouches and a meerkat scurries onto her leg. — Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, "We Went on a Meerkat Safari and Loved It," 24 Apr. 2018 There was a raccoon scurrying aimlessly through the roadway with its head trapped inside a peanut butter jar, body camera video shows. — Jared Gilmour, miamiherald, "Raccoon trapped in peanut butter jar ‘tried to thank’ cop who came to the rescue, video shows," 28 June 2018

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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Dictionary Entries near scurry

Statistics for scurry

Last Updated

12 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for scurry

The first known use of scurry was in 1810

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More Definitions for scurry

scurry

verb

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

\

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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