scurry

American  

[skur-ee, skuhr-ee] / ˈskɜr i, ˈskʌr i /

verb (used without object)

scurried, scurrying

1. to go or move quickly or in haste.

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verb (used with object)

scurried, scurrying

1. to send hurrying along.

noun

plural

scurries

1. a scurrying rush.

   the scurry of little feet on the stairs.

2. a short run or race.

scurry British  

/ ˈskʌrɪ /

verb

1. to move about or proceed hurriedly

2. (intr) to whirl about

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noun

1. the act or sound of scurrying

2. a brisk light whirling movement, as of snow

3. horse racing a short race or sprint

Etymology

Origin of scurry

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

Example Sentences

The bustle of the Christmas season means phone calls to loved ones, emails answered in a hurry before scurrying off to see family, and frantic online searches for last-minute presents.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gene is scurrying back from my table to his.

From Literature

I’ve had bugs scurry their way across my arms, and it’s not a good feeling.

From Literature

Mrs. Clarke was not a small woman, nor a young one, but she scurried down the ladder as nimbly as a squirrel.

From Literature

She made her way past the sleepy cows and shed her cloak at the base of the ladder so she might scurry up without getting tangled.

From Literature

Related Words

• bustle
• dart
• dash
• hurry
• rip
• scamper
• scoot
• scuttle
• sprint
• whisk
• zip