harum-scarum

[hair-uhm-skair-uhm, har-uhm-skar-uhm]

adjective

1. reckless; rash; irresponsible.

   He had a harum-scarum youth.

   Synonyms: scatterbrained, giddy, impetuous, impulsive, erratic

2. disorganized; uncontrolled.

   Synonyms: scatterbrained, giddy, impetuous, impulsive, erratic

adverb

1. recklessly; wildly.

   He ran harum-scarum all over the place.

noun

1. a reckless person.

2. reckless or unpredictable behavior or action.

harum-scarum

/ ˈhɛərəmˈskɛərəm /

adjective

1. in a reckless way or of a reckless nature

noun

1. a person who is impetuous or rash

Other Word Forms

• harum-scarumness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of harum-scarum¹

1665–75; earlier harum-starum rhyming compound based on obsolete hare to harass + stare

Word History and Origins

Origin of harum-scarum¹

C17: perhaps from hare (in obsolete sense: harass) + scare, variant of _stare ¹ ; compare _{helter-skelter}