Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person sent ahead to gather information: A scout is someone who explores an area to obtain information, especially about terrain or enemy positions.
   • A talent seeker: A scout is someone employed to discover and recruit people with talent, particularly in sports or entertainment.
   • A member of a youth organization: A scout is a boy or girl who is a member of the Scouts, an organization focused on outdoor activities and character development.
   • A sentinel: (Less common) A person employed to watch for a specific event or person.

2. Verb:

   • To explore an area: To scout means to make a search or exploration, often to find something or to gather information.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The army sent a scout ahead to check the path.
  • A talent scout discovered the actor at a local theater.
  • She became a Girl Scout when she was eight years old.

• Verb:

  • We need to scout for a good location to set up camp.
  • The coach went to scout the opposing team's last game.

Advanced Usage

• "to scout around": to look in various places for something.
  • I'll scout around for a better deal on flights.
• "to scout out": to find or discover something by searching.
  • Can you scout out a good coffee shop in this neighborhood?

Variants and Related Words

• Scouting (n): The activity of being a scout, especially the youth organization or the act of exploring.
  • He earned a badge in scouting.
• Scoutmaster (n): An adult leader of a troop of Boy Scouts.

Synonyms

• Noun: Lookout, vanguard, recruiter, talent-spotter.
• Verb: Reconnoiter, survey, investigate, search.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Scout about/around: To search in a general area.
  • We spent the morning scouting about for firewood.
• Scout up: (Informal) To find or obtain something by searching.
  • See if you can scout up some extra chairs for the meeting.

Related Idioms

• "Good Scout": (Informal) A trustworthy, helpful, or likable person.
  • You can always count on him; he's a real good scout.

Noun

1. someone who can find paths through unexplored territory
2. someone employed to discover and recruit talented persons (especially in the worlds of entertainment or sports)
3. a Boy Scout or Girl Scout
4. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

Verb

1. explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody