skedaddle

verb
ske·​dad·​dle | \ ski-ˈda-dᵊl How to pronounce skedaddle (audio) \
skedaddled; skedaddling\ ski-​ˈdad-​liŋ How to pronounce skedaddling (audio) , -​ˈda-​dᵊl-​iŋ \

Definition of skedaddle

intransitive verb

: run away, scram especially : to flee in a panic

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Other Words from skedaddle

skedaddler \ ski-​ˈdad-​lər How to pronounce skedaddler (audio) , -​ˈda-​dᵊl-​ər \ noun

Examples of skedaddle in a Sentence

I've got to skedaddle or I'll be late. we skedaddled as soon as we saw the snake entering our campsite

Recent Examples on the Web

Arsenal have officially confirmed the capture of St Etienne centre back William Saliba, with the Frenchman putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Emirates before skedaddling straight back to the Ligue 1 side on loan for 2019/20. SI.com, "William Saliba: 4 Things to Know About Arsenal's New Teen Sensation," 25 July 2019 Somewhere in the midst of all this, the Rev. Ford had skedaddled, leaving Perot and Dawkins to face the music. Cheryl Hall, Dallas News, "Remembering Ross Perot: Pete Dawkins landed in jail with his buddy," 13 July 2019 At a news conference on Tuesday—three days before British Prime Minister Theresa May was set to skedaddle off the world stage forever—the president questioned whether anyone was less than thrilled at his presence. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The Week in Washington: “Where Are the Protests? I Don’t See Any Protests!”," 9 June 2019 Ron's wife, Jan, wanted to pack up and be ready to skedaddle. Smith Henderson, Popular Mechanics, "You Could Live Here Alone Forever," 11 Jan. 2017 After the car rolled backwards into the street, the two guys inside the car skedaddled. David J. Neal, miamiherald, "Kids wanted to steal a Domino’s Pizza guy’s car. But they couldn’t drive it. | Miami Herald," 28 Mar. 2018 His wife has skedaddled, but his nosy neighbor (the delightful Diana Bang) is eager to clean his house and enable his quest to track down the woman who was once almost his adoptive sister. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: Suicidal Man Seeks Mystery Woman for ‘Entanglement’," 8 Feb. 2018 Terry caught a screen-pass on the left side, broke a few tackles and skedaddled 58 yard toward glory. Aaron Carter, Philly.com, "Yusuf Terry, Isheem Young shine as Imhotep edges Northeast," 8 Sep. 2017 And then there was the laugh riot that ensued when running dog Mike Pence skedaddled out of an Indianapolis Colts game. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "Donald Trump's Claim of "Merry Christmas" Promises a Holiday From Hell," 15 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skedaddle.' 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 skedaddle

1859, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for skedaddle

probably alteration of British dialect scaddle to run off in a fright, from scaddle, adjective, wild, timid, skittish, from Middle English scathel, skadylle harmful, fierce, wild, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skathi harm — more at scathe

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More Definitions for skedaddle

skedaddle

verb

English Language Learners Definition of skedaddle

informal + humorous : to leave a place very quickly