harum-scarum

adjective

har·​um-scar·​um ˌher-əm-ˈsker-əm How to pronounce harum-scarum (audio)
harum-scarum adverb

Examples of harum-scarum in a Sentence

a harum-scarum dash through the crowded terminal to make the flight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Years of harum-scarum borrowing and spending combined with economic wallops from the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring interest rates and inflation helped drive up Kenya’s debt to $80 billion. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from archaic hare to harass + scare

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harum-scarum was in 1751

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harum-scarum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harum-scarum. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

harum-scarum

adjective
har·​um-scar·​um
ˌhar-əm-ˈskar-əm,
ˌher-əm-ˈsker-
harum-scarum adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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