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 Words From

• harum-scarum·ness 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

Example Sentences

Amy ran down again then, in her usual harum-scarum fashion, and the conversation became general.

From Project Gutenberg

And one would scarcely suspect harum-scarum Bobby Hargrew of engineering such a delicate bit of business.

From Project Gutenberg

Chloe paused in her harum-scarum sweeping, and said, with a look and tone almost defiant, "I don't want to marry Tom."

From Project Gutenberg

Rhody laughed: 'I didn't mention any names,' said she; 'but I know good driving from harum-scarum, wherever I see it.'

From Project Gutenberg

Bench, they say, is religious; Gowen has written verses; Parsons generally harum-scarum.

From Project Gutenberg