scamper C2+ Topic:Verbs of Movement US /ˈskæmpər/ UK /ˈskæmpə/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 verb to run with quick, light, hurried steps The squirrels scampered up the oak at the slightest noise. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to run with quick, light,... scurryscuttledartdashscootscramblerace ↔ Opposites amblesauntertrudge Word family Related forms scamp Etymology AI details Probably a frequentative of the verb scamp ('to run off'), from Old North French escamper ('to flee, decamp'), from Latin ex- + campus ('field'). excampare Latin campus Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Verbs of Movement Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # scamper **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈskæmpər/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈskæmpə/ ## Meanings 1. to run with quick, light, hurried steps ## Examples - The squirrels scampered up the oak at the slightest noise. ## Synonyms - scurry - scuttle - dart - dash - scoot - scramble - race ## Antonyms - amble - saunter - trudge ## Related Forms - scamp ## Roots and Affixes - Root: excampare - Root: campus ## Etymology Probably a frequentative of the verb scamp ('to run off'), from Old North French escamper ('to flee, decamp'), from Latin ex- + campus ('field'). ## AI Etymology Scamper probably a frequentative of the verb scamp ('to run off'), from Old North French escamper ('to flee, decamp'), from Latin ex- + campus ('field'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a verb and noun, it means "to run with quick, light, hurried steps", so the modern sense keeps the older action or relation visible. Relevant historical forms include Latin excampare and Latin campus. Related words include scamp. ## Topics - Verbs of Movement - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown