escapade

noun
es·​ca·​pade | \ ˈe-skə-ˌpād How to pronounce escapade (audio) \

Definition of escapade

: a usually adventurous action that runs counter to approved or conventional conduct

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Synonyms for escapade

Synonyms

antic, caper, capriccio, dido, frolic, gag, jest, knavery, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, rag [chiefly British], roguery, shavie [Scottish], shine(s), trick, waggery

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Did You Know?

When it was first used in English, "escapade" referred to an act of escaping or fleeing from confinement or restraint. The relationship between "escape" and "escapade" does not end there. Both words derive from the Vulgar Latin verb excappare, meaning "to escape," a product of the Latin prefix ex- and the Late Latin noun cappa, meaning "head covering or cloak." While "escape" took its route through Anglo-French and Middle English, however, "escapade" made its way into English by way of the Spanish escapar ("to escape") and the French escapade.

Examples of escapade in a Sentence

As a teenager he embarked on a series of ill-advised escapades. their escapades at the prep school became the stuff of boarding-school legend

Recent Examples on the Web

This marks the latest of the Beckhams' summer escapades in Europe. Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Victoria and David Beckham Live Their Best Lives on a Yacht with Elton John and David Furnish," 26 Aug. 2019 According to the 1865 biography, Cushman was embraced by Confederate circles and began spying for the Union, with storied escapades like wearing men’s clothing to intermingle with rebels. Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, "The Actress Who Left the Stage to Become a Civil War Spy," 12 Aug. 2019 Summer is in full swing, which means days at the beach, camping trips, and other outdoor escapades. Elizabeth King, Allure, "Why Mosquitos Bite Some People More Than Others," 8 Aug. 2019 But how do the sextuplets — Aaden, Alexis, Collin, Joel, Hannah, and Leah —feel about their mom's dating escapades? Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'Kate Plus Date' Star Kate Gosselin Gets Real About Not "Accepting Singleness" After Divorcing Jon," 8 July 2019 The first issue of the new series throws back to that type of storytelling, putting Jimmy through a ringer of several different escapades before pointing at a potentially darker mystery. Christian Holub, EW.com, "5 comics to read this July: Reimagining classic concepts," 3 July 2019 The aunt exposed her mother’s escapades and won custody of a child left traumatized. Robert D. Mcfadden, New York Times, "Gloria Vanderbilt Dies at 95; Built a Fashion Empire," 17 June 2019 The digital series will showcase their escapades there before their return to the broadcast show in the fall. Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, "See Chad and Abby in Paris in new Days of Our Lives digital series clip," 29 July 2019 One new option: Boosted’s $1,599 Rev electric scooter, designed to function as your personal steed for neighborhood escapades. Time, "We Rode Boosted's New Rev Electric Scooter. Here's What it's Like," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'escapade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of escapade

1667, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for escapade

French, action of escaping, from Spanish escapada, from escapar to escape, from Vulgar Latin *excappare

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More Definitions for escapade

escapade

noun

English Language Learners Definition of escapade

: an exciting, foolish, or dangerous experience or adventure

escapade

noun
es·​ca·​pade | \ ˈe-skə-ˌpād How to pronounce escapade (audio) \

Kids Definition of escapade

: a daring or reckless adventure

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