# scoot

/ˈskut/ (US) · /skˈuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scoot
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to move quickly

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to go or travel somewhere very fast.

For teachers: to move or travel at high speed; often used in the imperative to encourage someone to leave quickly.

- I need to scoot or I will miss my bus.
- If we don't scoot right now, we'll never make it to the theatre before the curtain rises.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in spoken English.

### 2. to slide over

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to move a short distance while sitting, usually to make room for someone else.

For teachers: to move oneself or an object a short distance laterally while remaining seated or in contact with a surface.

- Could you scoot over a bit so I can sit down?
- The children scooted along the bench to accommodate the newcomer, making just enough space for one more person.

Usage: Commonly used with the particle 'over' or 'along'.

### 3. to ride a scooter

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to travel using a scooter.

For teachers: to travel by means of a scooter, whether motorized or kick-powered.

- The kids love to scoot around the park on their new toys.
- Commuters in the city centre frequently scoot between meetings to avoid the gridlock of midday traffic.

### 4. a quick trip

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short, fast journey.

For teachers: a brief, rapid movement or excursion.

- It is just a quick scoot down the road to the grocery store.
- After a brief scoot across the bay in the motorboat, they reached the secluded island just in time for lunch.

### 5. a scooter

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a slang word for a scooter.

For teachers: a colloquial term for a scooter, particularly a small motorised one.

- He parked his scoot right outside the café.
- The delivery driver hopped off his scoot and checked the address on the package before ringing the bell.

## Examples

- He scoots away on his skateboard as soon as the light turns green.
- The delivery driver had to scoot through the narrow alley to avoid the heavy traffic on the main road.
- The children would often scoot across the courtyard on their tiny scooters, weaving between the parked cars with a confidence that belied their young age.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.