scurry

[ skur-ee, skuhr-ee ]

/ ˈskɜr i, ˈskʌr i /

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See synonyms for: scurry / scurried / scurries / scurrying on Thesaurus.com

Definition of scurry

verb (used without object), scur·ried, scur·ry·ing.

to go or move quickly or in haste.

verb (used with object), scur·ried, scur·ry·ing.

to send hurrying along.

noun, plural scur·ries.

a scurrying rush: the scurry of little feet on the stairs.

a short run or race.

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Origin of scurry

First recorded in 1800–10; extracted from hurry-scurry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use scurry in a sentence

I chased a tight-lipped Thain as he scurried through the lobby to get back to his headquarters.
Banks Really Are Different Five Years After the Financial Crisis|Daniel Gross|September 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carter scurried back to Mace and reached down to hoist him up.
Ty Carter Awarded Medal of Honor|David Eisler, Jake Tapper|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Nancy stayed in bed in the hotel room as I scurried around to get the paperwork and the minister and the flowers,” says Campbell.
A Gay Warrior’s Win for Partner at National Cemetery|Eleanor Clift|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When the lights went up, the young crowd quickly scurried toward the exit.
Lena Dunham’s Improv Night at the Upright Citizens Brigade|Marlow Stern|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Minutes before the panel got underway, an organizer scurried over to the special “reserved” pews, yarmulke in hand.
Eric Cantor Hits Back at Obama|McKay Coppins|October 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Rare and beautiful birds came and watched the barefooted children as they scurried around, building their wall of masonry.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
The girl scurried by and darted from the room, dodging the smiting hand which the host raised as she flew past him.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Just at this moment a rabbit scurried across the road, and the dogs, with yelps of delight, took after it.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
They scurried down a long, dismal lane toward a low-lying range of hills pertly wooded with bald patches of barren earth and rock.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
But with the first shot both men left the house by the mill and scurried like rabbits for the open fields.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart

British Dictionary definitions for scurry

scurry

/ (ˈskʌrɪ) /

verb -ries, -rying or -ried

to move about or proceed hurriedly

(intr) to whirl about

noun plural -ries

the act or sound of scurrying

a brisk light whirling movement, as of snow

horse racing a short race or sprint

Word Origin for scurry

C19: probably shortened from hurry-scurry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scurry

Definition of scurry

Origin of scurry

Words related to scurry

How to use scurry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scurry

Word Origin for scurry