vamoose

American  

[va-moos] / væˈmus /

Older Use, vamose

verb (used without object)

vamoosed, vamoosing

1. to leave hurriedly or quickly; decamp.

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verb (used with object)

vamoosed, vamoosing

1. to leave hurriedly or quickly from; decamp from.

vamoose British  

/ vəˈmuːs /

verb

1. slang (intr) to leave a place hurriedly; decamp

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Etymology

Origin of vamoose

First recorded in 1830–40; from Spanish vamos “let us go,” imperative 1st person plural of ir “to go”

Explanation

When you vamoose, you exit quickly. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the loud music and crazy dancing at your friend's party, you might decide to vamoose without saying goodbye to her. If your grandfather's clearly getting ready to tell the family a long, boring story, you and your cousin might vamoose. Your little brother might prefer to stay at a birthday party long enough to whack the piñata but vamoose before the birthday boy starts opening gifts. In either case, someone leaves suddenly, and somewhat stealthily. Vamoose has been around since the mid-19th century, from the Spanish word vamos, or "let's go!"

Example Sentences

VR Vamoose: Meta is planning cuts to the metaverse, an arena Mark Zuckerberg once called the future of the company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

I travel to New York from Bethesda, Md., on a Vamoose Bus, which takes me to West 34th Street.

From New York Times • Sep. 24, 2018

Vamoose bus, but also the train if I recently got paid.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2016

Like fellow passengers, who included thrifty senior citizens and college girls in sorority T-shirts, Podesta was paying just $30 to travel to Washington aboard a Vamoose bus.

From Washington Post • Jun. 9, 2015

Well, boys, that kind o' broke me up, 'N ez I've "struck pay gravel," I ruther think I'll pack my kit, Vamoose the ranch, 'n travel.

From Recitations for the Social Circle by Harvey, James Clarence