scamper

1 of 2

verb

scam·​per ˈskam-pər 

scampered; scampering ˈskam-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to run nimbly and usually playfully about

scamper

2 of 2

noun

: a playful or hurried run or movement

Synonyms

Verb

• trot
• jog
• run
• gallop
• hurry

Examples of scamper in a Sentence

Verb

The kids were scampering around the yard.

A mouse scampered across the floor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This week, the Broncos scampered around for a couple of hours trying to contain Kyler Murray. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025

First, Rigg receives the ball out wide and immediately looks to scamper inside, triggering an underlapping run from adventurous right-back Trai Hume to take a marker away. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

Millie Schafer exits her back door, descends her deck stairs and scampers down a set of wooden steps on a backyard hillside, bracing herself on a tree trunk. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Sure, Amelia gets to do some cool stuff like scamper on all fours toward a target, scramble down a wall like a spider, rip the head off one poor unfortunate and neutralize entire tactical units with her dazzling fight skills. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025

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

Rhymes for scamper

• camper
• damper
• hamper
• pamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

scamper

verb

scam·​per

ˈskam-pər

scampered; scampering

-p(ə-)riŋ

: to run lightly and usually playfully about

scamper noun