scamp

/'skæmp/

Thân thiện

A little scamp hides a whoopee cushion on a chair.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mischievous person, especially a child: A "scamp" is someone, typically a child, who is playfully naughty or full of high-spirited mischief.
   • A rascal or rogue: In a slightly more serious or old-fashioned sense, it can refer to a person who behaves badly or dishonestly, though often with a sense of charm or lack of malice.

2. Verb:

   • To perform (a task) hastily and carelessly: To "scamp" something means to do it in a rushed, superficial, or negligent manner, without proper care or attention to detail.

Examples

• Noun:

  • That little scamp hid my keys again as a joke.
  • He was a loveable scamp, always getting into harmless trouble.

• Verb:

  • He scamped his homework and received a poor grade.
  • The builder was accused of scamping the repairs on the roof.

Advanced Usage

• "To play the scamp": To act in a mischievous or roguish manner.
  • He decided to play the scamp and pretend he'd lost the tickets.

Variants and Related Words

• Scampish (adj): Having the characteristics of a scamp; mischievous.
  • He gave a scampish grin before running off.
• Scamper (v): To run or move quickly and lightly, often like a playful child or animal. (Note: This is a different but related word).
  • The children scampered across the playground.

Synonyms

• Noun: Rascal, imp, rogue, mischief-maker, troublemaker.
• Verb: Skimp, botch, rush, neglect, do carelessly.

Related Phrases

• "A bit of a scamp": A common phrase used to describe someone, often affectionately, as being somewhat mischievous.
  • Your grandfather was a bit of a scamp in his youth.

Học thuật

Noun

1. one who is playfully mischievous

Verb

1. perform hastily and carelessly

Từ đồng nghĩa

• imp
• monkey
• rascal
• rapscallion
• scalawag
• scallywag