noun
Common
scout
SKOWT
Scout (noun) means a person sent ahead to gather information, especially about an enemy or unfamiliar territory. Example: “The scout crept ahead of the army to find a safe river crossing.”
noun
1
A person sent ahead to gather information, especially about an enemy or unfamiliar territory.
"The scout crept ahead of the army to find a safe river crossing."
"Before the patrol set off, a scout checked the valley for signs of danger."
"The scout reported enemy movements before dawn."
2
A person who searches for talented individuals on behalf of a team or organization.
"The club's scout travels to small towns looking for promising young footballers."
"A talent scout spotted the singer performing in a tiny cafe."
"A baseball scout watched him pitch in the district finals."
3
A member of a youth organization focused on outdoor skills, teamwork, and community service.
"My little brother is a scout and loves camping and building fires."
"The scouts spent Saturday cleaning the park and planting flowers."
"She earned her badge at scout camp last summer."
verb
1
To explore an area or assess a situation in advance, especially to gather information.
"We scouted the area for a good camping spot before it got dark."
"They scouted the trail before bringing the whole group."
"The coach sent an assistant to scout next week's opponent."
How to use scout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) sent ahead to gather information, or the act of doing that gathering yourself.
Common pairings
talent scout
scout troop
scout the location
boy scout
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Word forms
- Plural
- scouts
- Third person singular
- scouts
- Past tense
- scouted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ crept ahead of the army to find a safe river crossing.
Etymology
From Old French escoute, \"the act of listening,\" ultimately from Latin auscultare, \"to listen\" — the same root behind the word auscultation.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scout
See all rhymes for scout →Frequently asked questions
What does “scout” mean?
The word “scout” means a person sent ahead to gather information, especially about an enemy or unfamiliar territory. In plain terms, someone (or something) sent ahead to gather information, or the act of doing that gathering yourself.
How do you pronounce “scout”?
“Scout” is pronounced SKOWT (/ˈskaʊ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “scout” in a sentence?
Here is “scout” used in a sentence: “The scout reported enemy movements before dawn.”
What part of speech is “scout”?
Depending on how it is used, “scout” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scout” come from?
The word “scout” comes from Latin. From Old French escoute, \"the act of listening,\" ultimately from Latin auscultare, \"to listen\" — the same root behind the word auscultation.
Is “scout” a common word?
“Scout” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “scout” have?
“Scout” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person sent ahead to gather information, especially about an enemy or unfamiliar territory.
What is the difference between a "scout" and a "spy"?
A scout is sent ahead to observe and gather information, especially about enemy positions or unfamiliar territory, usually operating openly as part of a group's advance. A spy works secretly, often undercover and over a longer period, to obtain information without being detected.
How is the phrasal verb "scout out" used?
"Scout out" means to explore or inspect a place or situation in advance to gather information, such as scouting out a venue before an event. It emphasises checking something ahead of time so you know what to expect.
What is the difference between a "scout" and a "talent scout"?
A "scout" broadly is anyone sent ahead to gather information, while a "talent scout" specifically searches for skilled people, such as athletes, performers, or musicians, on behalf of a team or organisation. The talent sense narrows the general idea of scouting to finding promising individuals.
When is "Scout" capitalised?
"Scout" is usually capitalised when it refers to a member of a formal youth organisation focused on outdoor skills and community service, as in Scout troop. When it means a person gathering information or a talent recruiter, it is written in lowercase.
