ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scooter

n.
US //ˈskutɝ// UK //skˈuːtɐ// scoot·er
  1. 1 kick or electric scooter (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small vehicle with a board for your feet and a long handle, moved by pushing with your foot or using a battery.

    a vehicle consisting of a footboard mounted on two or more small wheels and guided by a handlebar; includes both manual kick versions and electric models.

    Example

    The children left their scooters on the pavement while they played in the park.

    Example

    The city introduced a fleet of electric scooters to reduce short-distance car trips and ease congestion in the downtown district.

    • kick scooter
    • e scooter
  2. 2 small motorcycle (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small motorcycle with a seat and a place to rest your feet.

    a light motorcycle with a step-through frame and a platform for the rider's feet.

    Example

    He rides his scooter to work because it is easy to park in the city.

    Example

    In many European cities, the motor scooter is the preferred mode of transport for navigating narrow, historic streets where cars cannot easily pass.

  3. 3 mobility aid (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    an electric vehicle with three or four wheels used by people who have trouble walking.

    an electrically powered vehicle designed specifically for people with restricted mobility.

    Example

    The supermarket provides scooters for customers who find it difficult to walk around the store.

    Example

    The local council invested in wider pavements to ensure that residents using mobility scooters could safely access the community centre.

    • mobility scooter
Origin

From scoot + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026