Scurry: meaning, definitions and examples

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scurry

 

[ ˈskʌri ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

quick movement

To move quickly in a hurried and bustling way, typically with short quick steps.

Synonyms

dart, hurry, rush, sprint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scurry

Used to describe quick, short, hurried movements often made by small animals or people in a state of nervousness or fear.

  • The mice scurried across the floor
  • She scurried to finish her work before the deadline
rush

Used when someone moves quickly with a sense of urgency, often because they are late or trying to save time.

  • She rushed out of the house to catch her flight
  • The staff had to rush to serve all the customers during the lunch hour
hurry

General word used to indicate moving or doing something quickly because there is little time.

  • We need to hurry; the meeting is about to start
  • He hurried through the crowd to get a better view
dart

Implied for quick, sudden movements, often in a straight line, that happen very fast.

  • He darted across the street to catch the bus
  • The bird darted out of the tree
sprint

Specifically refers to running at full speed, usually for a short distance, often in sports or competitive scenarios.

  • He sprinted the final lap to win the race
  • They sprinted to the finish line

Examples of usage

  • He scurried around the kitchen trying to prepare dinner before his guests arrived.
  • The mice scurried across the floor, trying to avoid being caught by the cat.
Context #2 | Noun

small animal movement

A brisk and hurried movement, often used to describe the quick movement of small animals like mice or insects.

Synonyms

dart, hurry, rush.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scurry

Use this word when describing small, quick movements, often by animals or people who are moving in a nervously hurried manner.

  • The mice scurried across the floor
  • She scurried to finish the report before the deadline
hurry

This word is ideal for describing the act of moving or acting quickly, often because of time pressure.

  • We need to hurry if we want to catch the train
  • She hurried through her homework to be able to watch her favorite show
rush

Use this word when someone is moving quickly with a sense of urgency, often in a chaotic or pressured situation.

  • There was a mad rush to get tickets to the concert
  • He rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard the news
dart

This word is suitable for describing a very quick, sudden movement in a specific direction, often with a sense of purpose or urgency.

  • The cat darted across the street
  • He darted to the back of the room to grab his book

Examples of usage

  • The scurry of the mice could be heard in the walls of the old house.
  • The sudden scurry of insects as we lifted the log startled us.

Translations

Translations of the word "scurry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 correr rapidamente

🇮🇳 तेज़ दौड़ना

🇩🇪 huschen

🇮🇩 berlari cepat

🇺🇦 поспішати

🇵🇱 pędzić

🇯🇵 急いで走る (いそいではしる)

🇫🇷 se précipiter

🇪🇸 correr rápidamente

🇹🇷 hızla koşmak

🇰🇷 급히 달리다 (geuphi dallida)

🇸🇦 العدو بسرعة

🇨🇿 spěchat

🇸🇰 ponáhľať sa

🇨🇳 快速奔跑 (kuài sù bēn pǎo)

🇸🇮 hitro teči

🇮🇸 hraða sér

🇰🇿 жылдам жүгіріп өту

🇬🇪 სწრაფად სირბილი

🇦🇿 tez qaçmaq

🇲🇽 correr rápidamente

Etymology

The word 'scurry' originated from the Middle English word 'skorren', meaning to move quickly. It has been used since the 15th century to describe rapid, bustling movements, particularly of small animals. The word captures the sense of urgency and speed associated with quick movements.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,104, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.