vamoose
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Etymology
Origin of vamoose
First recorded in 1830–40; from Spanish vamos “let us go,” imperative 1st person plural of ir “to go”
Explanation
When you vamoose, you exit quickly. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the loud music and crazy dancing at your friend's party, you might decide to vamoose without saying goodbye to her. If your grandfather's clearly getting ready to tell the family a long, boring story, you and your cousin might vamoose. Your little brother might prefer to stay at a birthday party long enough to whack the piñata but vamoose before the birthday boy starts opening gifts. In either case, someone leaves suddenly, and somewhat stealthily. Vamoose has been around since the mid-19th century, from the Spanish word vamos, or "let's go!"
Vocabulary lists containing vamoose
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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.
Marthy, who has been living with Chris on the coal barge he works on, agrees to vamoose so Anna can take up residence there.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025
In such a situation, taking all this in, a sane character would run, flee, skedaddle, vamoose, make tracks and call in the cops, or maybe an airstrike.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2021
His earlier three-shot lead had gone vamoose, especially with an episode on No. 14 when he almost disappeared in the woods hunting his ball, with only the white pants of his backside visible.
From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2021
Considering all that, what would it take for the networks to tell the Cowboys to vamoose?
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2014
"In the language of the woolly West, we'll vamoose," and she led the way out of the dining-room along the corridor to Sir John Dene's den.
From Malcolm Sage, Detective by Jenkins, Herbert George
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.
