romp

American  

[romp] / rɒmp /

verb (used without object)

1. to play or frolic in a lively or boisterous manner.

   Synonyms:

   gambol

2. to run or go rapidly and without effort, as in racing.

3. to win easily.

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noun

1. a lively or boisterous frolic.

   Synonyms:

   gambol

2. a person who romps.

3. a quick or effortless pace.

   The work was easy, and he went through it in a romp.

4. an effortless victory.

romp British  

/ rɒmp /

verb

1. to play or run about wildly, boisterously, or joyfully

2. to win a race easily

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noun

1. a noisy or boisterous game or prank

2. an instance of sexual activity between two or more people that is entered into light-heartedly and without emotional commitment

   naked sex romps

3. Also called: romper.  archaic a playful or boisterous child, esp a girl

4. an easy victory

Other Word Forms

• rompingly adverb
• rompish adjective

Etymology

Origin of romp

1700–10; perhaps variant of ramp ¹ (v.); compare obsolete ramp rough woman, literally, one who ramps

Explanation

To romp is to play or cavort. On a busy day at a playground, you can watch happy kids romp. When you romp, you don't entertain yourself quietly, but instead run around laughing or otherwise frolic with energy and enthusiasm. You can also call a wonderful, fun activity a romp: "Her party was a total romp!" The verb romp probably comes from the now-obsolete ramp, "to climb" (for a human), or "to stand on hind legs" (for an animal).

Example Sentences

He calls his current book “a romp through art and literary history,” one meant to take in “figures and moments that illuminate various facets of this eternal dilemma”—the problem of the working artist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

A forest in the backyard gives his children, ages 4 and 8, the same freedom to romp through nature he enjoyed growing up in Alaska.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

A romp in the swamp or failure in the foulness of a Rome afternoon?

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Mikal Bridges scored 23 points and Jalen Brunson added 21 in a wire-to-wire romp for the Knicks, who led by as many as 41 points in the fourth quarter.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

They panted heavily as if they had just come in from a romp outside.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• cavort
• frolic
• gambol
• prance