scarper
Americanverb (used without object)
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scarpers,
present (3rd person singular)
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scarpered,
past participle, past
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scarpering
present participle
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scarpersimple
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scarperssimple
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have scarperedperfect
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has scarperedperfect
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am scarperingprogressive
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are scarperingprogressive
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is scarperingprogressive
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have been scarperingperfect progressive
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has been scarperingperfect progressive
Past
-
scarperedsimple
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had scarperedperfect
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was scarperingprogressive
-
were scarperingprogressive
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had been scarperingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of scarper
First recorded in 1845–50; originally argot, probably from Polari, ultimately from Italian scappare “to flee,” from Vulgar Latin excappāre (unattested); see origin at escape
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.
See Examples For:
She said they had heard loud music coming from inside and saw someone in the flat approach, but then "scarper" away.
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2024
The other, at home to Fulham, feels like a huge game if the Saints are to scarper clear of the relegation zone they find themselves back in.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 11, 2019
Some will step up and some will scarper.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 22, 2017
It is unlikely that your betrothed will scarper on horseback, as Julia Roberts did in “Runaway Bride”, and most insurers wouldn’t cover that anyway.
From Economist ● Oct. 9, 2014
But if I tried to scarper and got caught, it'd mean we'd nicked the squash.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Jess Wadsworth, who had been looking after Amber before she scarpered, said Amber's disappearance had left her family anxious for weeks.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2025
All I kept thinking as I scarpered out of the Winter Garden was: They didn’t know the territory.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 11, 2022
He scrabbled with all four paws, found some purchase, and scarpered up the slope and away.
From Slate ● Jan. 30, 2021
Mayfield isn’t just the face of the Browns, either: he is the face of Cleveland after LeBron James, the city’s favourite son, scarpered to Los Angeles last summer.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 21, 2018
Had to find someone close by to take the injured kid, Mitraillette managed that, and the rest of us scarpered on bicycles and on foot.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
Yet here’s this woman seemingly scarpering like the most unreliable Casanova at the first indication that she might be called on to provide elevated investment in the relationship.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 15, 2020
Sensing matters were heading for a painful conclusion, Brambani turned and legged it, scarpering for the safety of his sweet shop.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2014
Idamante: Cor, fancy that / This old man turns out to be / My dad / So why is he scarpering?
From The Guardian ● Jun. 24, 2010
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.
