verb
skedaddle
skih-DA-duhl
Skedaddle (verb) means to leave somewhere quickly, especially to avoid trouble. Example: “When the teacher walked in, the kids skedaddled out the back door.”
verb
1
To leave somewhere quickly, especially to avoid trouble.
"When the teacher walked in, the kids skedaddled out the back door."
"We skedaddled before the storm hit."
noun
1
A hasty retreat or dash away from something.
"The whole gang made a skedaddle when the sirens started."
How to use skedaddle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA playful, informal word for running off or clearing out fast.
When to use it
Very informal and a bit old-fashioned or humorous — not used in formal writing.
Common pairings
skedaddle out of here
made a skedaddle
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Word forms
- Plural
- skedaddles
- Third person singular
- skedaddles
- Past tense
- skedaddled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
When the teacher walked in, the kids _____ out the back door.
Etymology
First recorded around 1861 in American Civil War slang, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to a British dialect word "scaddle" meaning "to run off in fright."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for skedaddle
See all rhymes for skedaddle →Frequently asked questions
What does “skedaddle” mean?
The word “skedaddle” means to leave somewhere quickly, especially to avoid trouble. In plain terms, a playful, informal word for running off or clearing out fast.
How do you pronounce “skedaddle”?
“Skedaddle” is pronounced skih-DA-duhl (/skɪˈdædəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “skedaddle” in a sentence?
Here is “skedaddle” used in a sentence: “When the teacher walked in, the kids skedaddled out the back door.”
What is another word for “skedaddle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “skedaddle” include flee, get lost, hightail, kick rocks, make tracks and scat.
What part of speech is “skedaddle”?
Depending on how it is used, “skedaddle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “skedaddle” come from?
The word “skedaddle” dates back to around 1861. First recorded around 1861 in American Civil War slang, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to a British dialect word "scaddle" meaning "to run off in fright.".
How many meanings does “skedaddle” have?
“Skedaddle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to leave somewhere quickly, especially to avoid trouble.
