• Scamp

    Pronunciation

    • Rhymes: -æmp

    Origin

    Old French escamper ("to run away, to make one's escape")

    Full definition of scamp

    Noun

    scamp

    (plural scamps)
    1. A rascal, swindler, or rogue; a ne'er-do-well.
    2. A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.My nephew is a little scamp who likes to leave lighted firecrackers under the lawnchairs of his dozing elders.While walking home from the bar, he was set upon by a bunch of scamps who stole his hat.

    Synonyms

    Verb

    1. (dated) To skimp; to do something in a skimpy or slipshod fashion.
      • 1884, , His work was always first-rate. There was no scamping about it. Everything that he did was thoroughly good and honest.
      • 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, Well Tackled! Chapter 3, “They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”

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