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

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

A hasty retreat or dash away from something.

"The whole gang made a skedaddle when the sirens started."

How to use skedaddle

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

skedaddled past tense, skedaddles plural, skedaddles singular

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Fill the gap

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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."

· First attested 1861

Class of 1861 skedaddle joined the language around 1861.

slaw

See the full Class of 1861 →

Synonyms

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flee get lost hightail kick rocks make tracks scat skidoo skitter take off vamoose rush

Related words

come run leave attack charge fly flow remove

Rhymes for skedaddle

paddle waddle saddle straddle

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.

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