scouting

American  

[skou-ting] / ˈskaʊ tɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of reconnoitering; reconnaissance.

2. the activities of a scout or scouts.

3. (often initial capital letter) the program of activities of the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts.

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scouting British  

/ ˈskaʊtɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the activities, programmes, principles, etc, of the Scout Association

   2. ( as modifier )

      the international Scouting movement

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Other Word Forms

• scoutingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of scouting

First recorded in 1635–45; scout ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The corner is scrambled away to Ryan Giggs, who scuffs a shot goalward and a delirious Sheringham sweeps in, scouting over his shoulder to check the offside while wheeling away celebrating wildly.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

“People assumed I was a good defender—no, I just read Finchy’s scouting report.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

While he recovered in the captured pueblo, Coronado sent scouting parties in search of the elusive Seven Cities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

We were scouting for openings to slip through when a flap pulled back and a well- dressed man and woman burst out, the man holding the lady, the lady fanning herself.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• aloof
• arrogant
• averse
• contemptuous
• derisive
• haughty
• unsympathetic