skittering
Moving in bursts
Skittering describes light, rapid, irregular movement across a surface—the motion of insects, mice, or leaves blown by wind.
The word evokes something small moving quickly with a pattering sound: A spider went skittering across the floor.
It suggests nervousness or lack of control, distinct from smooth or purposeful motion.
Hurried small-stepped motion
- scuttleSink intentionally; hurried shuffle
- dartHandheld pointed projectile
- dashQuick burst or pinch
- scamperQuick, light-footed dash
flit · zip · bolt · scramble · whisk · glide · sprint · hurry
Hasty, light-footed motion
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
carapace · chitin · legs · mandibles · thorax · abdomen · larvae · pest
Hurried small-stepped motion
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- dashQuick burst or pinch
- scatterDistribute in random directions
- escapeFlight from captivity
evade · scamper · retreat · flee · hightail · scramble · disappear · vanish
Light rapid tapping
- clickingMaking short sharp sounds
- scratchingRaking with nails
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
- tappingRepeated light striking
rustling · clacking · rattling · clattering · creaking · squeaking · tinkling · chittering
scurry
Hurried small-stepped motion
scamper · flit · zip · bolt · scramble · whisk · glide · sprint · hurry · race
scurrying
Hasty, light-footed motion
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
arthropod · carapace · chitin · legs · mandibles · thorax · abdomen · larvae · pest · creepy-crawly
scurry
Hurried small-stepped motion
escape · evade · scamper · retreat · flee · hightail · scramble · disappear · vanish · disperse
pattering
Light rapid tapping
- clickingMaking short sharp sounds
- scratchingRaking with nails
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
tapping · rustling · clacking · rattling · clattering · creaking · squeaking · tinkling · chittering · crackling
skittish
Prone to nervous fright
fidgety · antsy · restless · edgy · anxious · flighty · tense · apprehensive · panicky · hyperactive
- locomotionwalking, running, crawling, swimming, flying
- quick movementsdash, dart, sprint, rush, bolt
- Insect Traitssix-legged, winged, antennae, exoskeleton, segmented
- reptile traitsscaly, cold-blooded, slithering, forked tongue, shedding skin
- crab traitssideways, scuttle, claws, pincers, shell