scamper
4 synonyms for scamper, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To run quickly with short, light steps, often playfully.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To run quickly with short, light steps, often playfully.
“The puppy scampered across the garden chasing a ball.”
How to use scamper
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
scamper away
scamper off
scamper across
Etymology
First recorded in the late 17th century; likely related to Dutch schamperen and ultimately the same root as "scamp," meaning "to run away."
Full origin of scamper →Frequently asked questions
What does “scamper” mean?
The word “scamper” means to run quickly with short, light steps, often playfully. In plain terms, to run quickly and lightly, the way small animals or children do.
How do you pronounce “scamper”?
“Scamper” is pronounced SKAM-puh (/ˈskæmpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scamper” in a sentence?
Here is “scamper” used in a sentence: “The puppy scampered across the garden chasing a ball.”
What part of speech is “scamper”?
Depending on how it is used, “scamper” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “scamper” come from?
The word “scamper” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Dutch. First recorded in the late 17th century; likely related to Dutch schamperen and ultimately the same root as "scamp," meaning "to run away.".
How many meanings does “scamper” have?
“Scamper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to run quickly with short, light steps, often playfully.
