scamp

American  

[skamp] / skæmp /

noun

1. an unscrupulous and often mischievous person; rascal; rogue; scalawag.

2. a playful, mischievous, or naughty young person; upstart.

3. a grouper, Mycteroperca phenax, of Florida: so called from its habit of stealing bait.

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verb (used with object)

scamps, present (3rd person singular) scamped, past participle, past scamping present participle

1. to do or perform in a hasty or careless manner.

   to scamp work.

scamp ¹ British  

/ skæmp /

noun

1. an idle mischievous person; rascal

2. a mischievous child

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scamp ² British  

/ skæmp /

verb

1. a less common word for skimp

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• scampingly
  adverb
• scampishly
  adverb
• scampishness
  noun
• scampish
  adjective
• scamper
  noun
• unscamped
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have scamped
  perfect
• has scamped
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am scamping
  progressive 1st person singular
• scamping
  participle
• has been scamping
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• scamps
  singular 3rd person
• have been scamping
  perfect progressive
• is scamping
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are scamping
  progressive

Past

• had scamped
  perfect
• were scamping
  progressive plural
• scamped
  simple
• scamped
  participle
• was scamping
  progressive singular
• had been scamping
  perfect progressive

Future

• will scamp
  simple
• will have scamped
  perfect
• will have been scamping
  perfect progressive
• will be scamping
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of scamp

1775–85; obsolete scamp to travel about idly or for mischief, perhaps < obsolete Dutch schampen to be gone < Old French escamper to decamp

Example Sentences

But for now he is a jovial Irish scamp, with the merest hint of a dark streak; where Sherlock comes from money, James, as he’s called here, is at school on a scholarship.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

He cultivated a reputation as a beloved scamp who did what he wanted.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2023

And I was exasperated when my firstborn started imitating the antics of that naughty scamp, particularly by upending her plate at the table.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2022

Is he the playful scamp who once gave an underling a piggyback ride after a rocket engine test?

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Somehow the furry scamp had avoided being torn to shreds by the children and had subsequently become Cassiopeia’s beloved pet, living on the tree branches outside the nursery windows.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood