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verb

scurry

SKUH-ree

Scurry (verb) means to run with short, quick, hurried steps. Example: “The mice scurried back into their hole when the light came on.”

verb
1
To run with short, quick, hurried steps.
"The mice scurried back into their hole when the light came on."
"Commuters scurried across the platform to catch the last train."
noun
1
A quick, hurried dash or bustle of activity.
"There was a scurry of activity backstage before the curtain rose."

How to use scurry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo move quickly with small, hasty steps, the way a small animal or a rushed person does.

Common pairings
scurry away scurry off a scurry of activity

Word forms

scurried past tense, scurries plural, Scurrys plural, scurries singular

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Test yourself on “scurry” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

There was a _____ of activity backstage before the curtain rose.

Etymology

Probably a shortening of "hurry-scurry," a rhyming reduplication of "hurry."

Related words

Rhymes for scurry

See all rhymes for scurry →

Frequently asked questions

What does “scurry” mean?

The word “scurry” means to run with short, quick, hurried steps. In plain terms, to move quickly with small, hasty steps, the way a small animal or a rushed person does.

How do you pronounce “scurry”?

“Scurry” is pronounced SKUH-ree (/ˈskʌ.ɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “scurry” in a sentence?

Here is “scurry” used in a sentence: “There was a scurry of activity backstage before the curtain rose.”

What part of speech is “scurry”?

Depending on how it is used, “scurry” can be a verb and a noun.

How many meanings does “scurry” have?

“Scurry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to run with short, quick, hurried steps.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial