scamper
1 of 2verb
scam·per ˈskam-pər 
scampered; scampering ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ
intransitive verb
: to run nimbly and usually playfully about
scamper
2 of 2noun
: a playful or hurried run or movement
Synonyms
Verb
- dash
- gallop
- jog
- run
- sprint
- trip
- trot
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The kids were scampering around the yard. A mouse scampered across the floor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Detroit Free Press, 26 Aug. 2022 Bellinger followed with a single that failed to score pinch-runner Austin Barnes — Barnes fell down rounding third, forcing him to scamper back to the bag — but put runners at second and third with no outs. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 The dogs would scamper through the fields, maybe chase something, then head home. Jim Salter, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 The ball rocketed past center fielder Jonathan Davis, allowing Suzuki to scamper around the bases and put the Cubs ahead 2-1. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2022 But that throw sailed into center, allowing Mateo to scamper to third and for Bemboom to cross the plate. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2022 Salmon in greenish-brown spawning colors rest in an eddy downstream, waiting for just the right time to scamper up the creek and complete their journey. Anchorage Daily News, 29 Apr. 2022 That was the first iteration of the multigenerational Giuliani roadshow: Rudy brought Andrew along on campaign swings, sometimes pausing the caravan to allow the boy out for a few minutes to scamper about. Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2022 The six live dancers who scamper through the audience and step in unison with Houston’s holograph, as well as the four-piece band flanking her ghostly likeness, inject the show with verve. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2022 Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2022 Yet this tiny, wiry 80-year-old can wrangle a jackhammer, scamper up steep mountain trails in the rocky mountains that ring the Taylor homestead or carefully tend her beloved white sage plants with equal aplomb. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022 Pandya finishes getting her husband ready for bed while Ronan and Keaton scamper back to the living room. Tom Murphy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2022 Aside from the 57-yard scamper from Kyler Murray, the Cardinals struggled to run the football effectively. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2021 The Lancers scored on their third play from scrimmage, as Figueroa leapt over senior cornerback Tyler Fabbri to secure a 50-50 ball and scamper 75 yards for the score. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021 Lexington Catholic responded quickly with a 3-play scoring drive capped off by an 8-yard touchdown scamper from senior quarterback Jack Gohmann. Matt Stahl, The Courier-Journal, 11 Sep. 2021 The Pirates had the best scoring chance of the opening frame, driving to the Randolph red zone before Chris Paul stopped Hull quarterback Luke Richardson on a scamper to force a turnover on downs. Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2021 Patterson was effective with his feet, however, picking up 79 yards on nine carries, including a 37-yard gain and a 9-yard TD scamper. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 13 May 2022 See More
Verb
Two plays into the fourth quarter, Papdelis had the run of the game, breaking one tackle and spinning out of another to scamper in for a 13-yard touchdown and cut the lead to 13-7. Detroit Free Press, 26 Aug. 2022 Bellinger followed with a single that failed to score pinch-runner Austin Barnes — Barnes fell down rounding third, forcing him to scamper back to the bag — but put runners at second and third with no outs. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 The dogs would scamper through the fields, maybe chase something, then head home. Jim Salter, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 The ball rocketed past center fielder Jonathan Davis, allowing Suzuki to scamper around the bases and put the Cubs ahead 2-1. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2022 But that throw sailed into center, allowing Mateo to scamper to third and for Bemboom to cross the plate. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2022 Salmon in greenish-brown spawning colors rest in an eddy downstream, waiting for just the right time to scamper up the creek and complete their journey. Anchorage Daily News, 29 Apr. 2022 That was the first iteration of the multigenerational Giuliani roadshow: Rudy brought Andrew along on campaign swings, sometimes pausing the caravan to allow the boy out for a few minutes to scamper about. Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2022 The six live dancers who scamper through the audience and step in unison with Houston’s holograph, as well as the four-piece band flanking her ghostly likeness, inject the show with verve. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2022 Noun
That score was a 46-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2022 Yet this tiny, wiry 80-year-old can wrangle a jackhammer, scamper up steep mountain trails in the rocky mountains that ring the Taylor homestead or carefully tend her beloved white sage plants with equal aplomb. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022 Pandya finishes getting her husband ready for bed while Ronan and Keaton scamper back to the living room. Tom Murphy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2022 Aside from the 57-yard scamper from Kyler Murray, the Cardinals struggled to run the football effectively. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2021 The Lancers scored on their third play from scrimmage, as Figueroa leapt over senior cornerback Tyler Fabbri to secure a 50-50 ball and scamper 75 yards for the score. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021 Lexington Catholic responded quickly with a 3-play scoring drive capped off by an 8-yard touchdown scamper from senior quarterback Jack Gohmann. Matt Stahl, The Courier-Journal, 11 Sep. 2021 The Pirates had the best scoring chance of the opening frame, driving to the Randolph red zone before Chris Paul stopped Hull quarterback Luke Richardson on a scamper to force a turnover on downs. Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2021 Patterson was effective with his feet, however, picking up 79 yards on nine carries, including a 37-yard gain and a 9-yard TD scamper. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 13 May 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
scamper 1 of 2
verb
scam·per ˈskam-pər
scampered; scampering
: to run or move quickly and often playfully about
scamper
2 of 2noun
: a hurried and often playful run or movement
scampering
verb
as in trotting
to go at a pace faster than a walk the child scampered off to play Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- trotting
- jogging
- running
- hurrying
- galloping
- sprinting
- scurrying
- dashing
- rushing
- leaping
- skipping
- tripping
- racing
- speeding
- zipping
- scooting
- bounding
- hustling
- loping
- springing
- scuttling
- hurtling
- haring
- tearing
- barreling
- careening
- buzzing
- blasting
- blazing
- whirling
- cantering
- rustling
- ripping
- hurling
- bustling
- humping
- hastening
- blowing
- zooming
- rocketing
- bowling
- shagging
- pelting
- bolting
- coursing
- whisking
- hying
- pattering
- jetting
- belting
- ramming
- shooting
- cannonballing
- breezing
- barrelling
- nipping
- hieing
- bombing
- hotfooting (it)
- legging (it)
- hoofing (it)
- stepping (along)
- footing (it)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strolling
- shuffling
- sauntering
- ambling
- dragging
- crawling
- creeping
- shambling
- lingering
- poking
- dawdling
- trudging
- lagging
- loitering
- plodding
- dallying
- lumbering
- limping
- tarrying
- hobbling
- dillydallying