scampering

Running with haste

Scampering is running with quick, light steps, usually playfully or in haste.

The word suggests small creatures or children moving rapidly: Squirrels went scampering up the tree, The kids came scampering down the stairs.

There's an innocence to scampering—it's hard to imagine anything menacing doing it.

creatures

squirrel

Bushy-tailed tree rodent

rat · hamster · ferret · lizard · crab · spider · puppy · kitten · toddler · child

movement

scuttle

Sink intentionally; hurried shuffle

  • dartHandheld pointed projectile
  • dashQuick burst or pinch
  • patterQuick rehearsed speech

skitter · scrabble · hustle · zip · flit · whisk · sprint · bolt · bound · scramble

fleeing

escape

Flight from captivity

  • boltThreaded rod for nuts
  • fleeDepart swiftly from threat
  • retreatSanctuary or withdrawal

scatter · disperse · vanish · disappear · elude · evade · hide · skedaddle · decamp · abscond

playful

frolic

Lighthearted playful movement

  • rompPlayful, spirited activity
  • gambolPlayful leaping about
  • cavortPlay with lively movement

prance · frisk · caper · rollick · antics · lark · skylarking · merriment · frisky · frolicsome

Categories
Opposites
speed of movement

scamperingcrawling

Moving on hands, knees

creeping · plodding · trudging · dawdling · ambling

manner/energy of movement

scamperingplodding

Moving slowly, heavily

trudging · lumbering · stomping · clomping · shuffling

movement vs. stillness

scamperingstanding still

Absence of motion

staying put · halting · stopping · freezing · resting

Family

scurry, hasten, scamper, scurrying, scampers, scurried, scampered, scurries

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G