romp
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to play or frolic in a lively or boisterous manner.
- Synonyms:
- gambol
-
to run or go rapidly and without effort, as in racing.
-
to win easily.
noun
-
a lively or boisterous frolic.
- Synonyms:
- gambol
-
a person who romps.
-
a quick or effortless pace.
The work was easy, and he went through it in a romp.
-
an effortless victory.
verb
-
to play or run about wildly, boisterously, or joyfully
-
to win a race easily
noun
-
a noisy or boisterous game or prank
-
an instance of sexual activity between two or more people that is entered into light-heartedly and without emotional commitment
naked sex romps
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Also called: romper. archaic a playful or boisterous child, esp a girl
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an easy victory
Other Word Forms
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).
Vocabulary lists containing romp
Party Parlance for Mardi Gras
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This Week in Words: December 30, 2017 - January 5, 2018
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Mardi Gras: Fun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jake Johnson and Murray Bartlett co-star in what looks to be a fun, suspenseful romp.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
Amid the self-deprecating humour and romp through history, the King landed some hard arguments.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
No team in English soccer oscillates faster between a romp to certain glory and imminent collapse than Arsenal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026
While the promise of that gangbusters opening sequence goes a tad unfulfilled, “Killing” has two strong twists and plenty of reasons to enjoy the romp.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
His day away from school, replete with all the money he needed to enjoy the romp with his friends, was one of triumph.
From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
