Scout: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to a young person, typically in an organized youth group, focused on outdoor activities, leadership, and personal development.

• The scout learned how to build a campfire during the weekend expedition.
• She earned a new badge for her scouting achievements.

Appropriate in general situations describing someone who belongs to a group, organization, or community.

• He is a member of the local book club.
• As a member of the team, he shared his ideas for the project.

Used when describing someone who is actively taking part in an event, activity, or competition.

• Each participant received a medal at the end of the race.
• There were over 100 participants in the conference.

Refers to a young person or the period of life when someone is young. It can sometimes have a more formal or collective sense.

• The program aims to support the local youth in their educational pursuits.
• The community center offers various activities for the youth.

Used to describe a person who searches for something, often in terms of discovering talent or seeking to obtain information.

• The talent scout was looking for new actors for the movie.
• He went on a scout mission to find a good camping spot.

Involves secretly gathering information, often in a way that is deceptive or covert. This term can carry a negative connotation.

• The spy was caught stealing classified documents.
• In many movies, the spy uses gadgets to complete secret missions.

Typically used in a military or strategic context to describe the act of exploring an area to gather information.

• The soldiers conducted a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence about enemy positions.
• The reconnaissance flight provided valuable information about the terrain ahead.

Refers specifically to a group of scouts, especially in the context of youth organizations like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

• The scout troop went on a weekend camping trip.
• She joined a scout troop to learn survival skills and make new friends.

This word is often used in situations involving preliminary exploration or reconnaissance, especially for military purposes or team sports.

• The soldiers sent a scout ahead to assess the enemy's position.
• She was scouting for new talent at the basketball game.

Appropriate for situations where one is investigating or traveling through an unknown or unfamiliar area to learn more about it.

• They decided to explore the hidden caves during their trip.
• He loves to explore different cultures when he travels.

Typically used for examining or measuring an area of land, or for gathering data and opinions through questionnaires.

• The team will survey the land before starting the construction project.
• They conducted a survey to understand customer satisfaction.

Best used when referring to a detailed examination or assessment, usually for quality, safety, or condition.

• The mechanic inspected the car for any faults.
• The health inspector will visit the restaurant next week.