escapade

[es-kuh-peyd, es-kuh-peyd]

noun

a reckless adventure or wild prank.

an escape from confinement or restraint.

Origin of escapade

1645–55; < French < Spanish escapada, equivalent to escap(ar) to escape + -ada -ade¹

Synonyms for escapade

caper, antic, caprice.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for escapades

antic, fling, caper, mischief, vagary, romp, shenanigans, folly, roguery, trick, gag, scrape, lark, stunt, spree, frolic, rib, prank, rollick

Examples from the Web for escapades

Contemporary Examples of escapades

Their escapades, by turns sexual, violent, and threatening, can make for uncomfortable viewing.
The Movie ‘Filth’ Is Fun!
Nico Hines
October 1, 2013
The alleged nighttime escapades of the Secret Service agents in Colombia are more than just an embarrassment.
Secret Service Targeted by Independent Watchdog
Aram Roston
April 30, 2012
But there are signs that the public is growing tired of these escapades.
Vladimir Putin Surprised By Boos At Martial Arts Fight
Owen Matthews
November 22, 2011
Sexual predators are known to take trophies, such as underwear, from their escapades so they can relive their crimes.
Why Chelsea's Murder Scares Us
Caitlin Rother
March 6, 2010

Historical Examples of escapades

Which we regyards them escapades as fortooitous, an' declines 'em utter.
Faro Nell and Her Friends
Alfred Henry Lewis
What would her mother say to this latest of her escapades; and Mollie and Betty?
The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World
Margaret Vandercook
Every now and then your escapades enliven the Paris Sunday supplements.
The Ideal
Stanley Grauman Weinbaum
The letter gave a detailed account of one of baby's escapades.
Grandfather's Love Pie
Miriam Gaines
We were careful to keep these escapades from the knowledge of our elders.
The Life and Adventures of Nat Love
Nat Love

British Dictionary definitions for escapades

escapade

noun

a wild or exciting adventure, esp one that is mischievous or unlawful; scrape

any lighthearted or carefree episode; prank; romp

Word Origin for escapade

C17: from French, from Old Italian scappata, from Vulgar Latin ex-cappāre (unattested) to escape

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for escapades

escapade

1650s, "an escape from confinement," from French escapade (16c.) "a prank or trick," from Spanish escapada "a prank, flight, an escape," noun use of fem. past participle of escapar "to escape," from Vulgar Latin *excappare (see escape). Or perhaps the French word is via Italian scappata, from scappare, from the same Vulgar Latin source. Figurative sense (1814) is of "breaking loose" from rules or restraints on behavior.