vamoose

American  

[va-moos] / væˈmus /

Older Use, vamose

verb (used without object)

vamoosed, vamoosing

1. to leave hurriedly or quickly; decamp.

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verb (used with object)

vamoosed, vamoosing

1. to leave hurriedly or quickly from; decamp from.

vamoose British  

/ vəˈmuːs /

verb

1. slang (intr) to leave a place hurriedly; decamp

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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!"

Example Sentences

The New York Times reported this week that venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Google co-founder Larry Page were looking to vamoose before year’s end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

And should I express how it makes me feel or just vamoose?

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2022

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

Considering all that, what would it take for the networks to tell the Cowboys to vamoose?

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2014

Now, Alice, if you’ll just dig out my particular parcel I’ll vamoose.

From Chicken Little Jane on the Big John by Ritchie, Lily Munsell