scurry

verb

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

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
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
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.
The animal then seems to sniff something before turning its body to scurry away. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 These hubs were beacons of hope while corporate landowners scurried for cover and FEMA's aid trickled in too slowly. Kaniela Ing, TIME, 9 Aug. 2024 Children across the country will be scurrying door-to-door on Thursday, dressed in costumes and hunting vigorously for that house giving out full-size candy bars. Bychris Morris, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 And the wind walks through the dry pines beyond, scurrying over the cemetery sand, past the leaning stones, the names of the pilots. Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scurry 

Word History

Etymology

short for hurry-scurry, reduplication of hurry

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scurry was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near scurry

Cite this Entry

“Scurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurry. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scurry

verb
scur·​ry ˈskər-ē How to pronounce scurry (audio)
ˈskə-rē
scurried; scurrying
: to move briskly : scamper
scurry noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scurry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!