skelter

Chaotic rushing about

Skelter means to move hurriedly in a disorderly way—scurrying, scattering, tumbling along.

The word appears almost exclusively in the phrase helter-skelter, where it reinforces the sense of chaotic haste.

On its own, skelter is rare but occasionally surfaces as a verb: The children skeltered down the hill.

chaos

pandemonium

State of utter confusion

  • mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
  • turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
  • bedlamState of wild disorder

confusion · disarray · commotion · tumult · hurly-burly · disorder · jumble · muddle · havoc · scramble

rush

hurry

Move with urgency

  • dashQuick burst or pinch
  • raceCompetition of speed
  • hasteExcessive quickness

scramble · hustle · scurry · bolt · charge · pelt · dart · tear · fly · career

slide

spiral

Curve winding around center

  • slideSmooth continuous movement
  • chuteInclined passage for descent
  • towerTall slender edifice

fairground · funfair · amusement · carnival · ride · descent · twist · corkscrew · lighthouse · mat

Opposites
order and method

skelterorder

Methodical arrangement or request

orderliness · method · system · organization · arrangement

pace and composure

skeltercalm

Free from agitation

composure · serenity · leisurely · unhurried · steady

order and manner of movement

skelterorder

Methodical arrangement or request

orderliness · organized · systematic · deliberate · structured

Phrases
Family

helter-skelter

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G