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)

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

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

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

Flamboyant and gregarious, Mr. Del Tredici cultivated a reputation as a beloved scamp who did what he wanted.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2023

On the flat, straight highways of middle America, you’ll often see a Chevy go by with a sticker in the window portraying a cartoon scamp tinkling on a Ford logo — or vice versa.

From Washington Post • May 17, 2022

“We were in charge of cooking scamp and squid and putting plenty of garlic in it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 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

Someone—could it be that missing scamp, Nutsawoo?— was tapping on the glass of the nursery window.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood