noun
scamp
SKAMP/skæmp/
A playfully mischievous child or person.
The little scamp sneaks a cookie while her grandfather smiles.
Etymology
Scamper lies behind a dialect verb meaning “roam,” probably the source of scamp. The noun softened from “highway robber” and “villain” into an affectionate label for a mischievous person.
In context
Bandits tied me up. >> Were there any witnesses? >> Well, no, there weren't, but they did it all the same, honest. What kind of scamp would make a thing like this up?
More examples
- Several scamps played nearby.
- He called the child a scamp.
- The scamp hid the toy.
Forms
scamp · scamps
Similar words
- rascal
- Another often affectionate word for a mischievous person.
- rogue
- Can imply more serious dishonesty.