scout
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person sent ahead of a group to gather information about an enemy or a new area.
n.a person, often a soldier, dispatched to gather intelligence regarding enemy positions or terrain.
Simple“The army sent a scout ahead to see if the bridge was safe to cross.”
In context“The cavalry scout returned under the cover of darkness to report that the enemy forces had retreated across the valley.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.someone whose job is to look for talented people, like athletes or musicians, to join a team or company.
n.a person employed to identify and recruit promising talent, particularly in professional sports or the entertainment industry.
Simple“A talent scout from a major record label watched her perform at the club.”
In context“The baseball scout spent the entire summer travelling between small-town colleges to find a pitcher with a reliable fastball.”
Synonymsrecruitertalent spotter - 03 A2 Elementary
n.a member of a group for young people that teaches outdoor skills and character.
n.a member of an international youth movement, such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, focused on character development and outdoor proficiency.
Simple“He joined the scouts when he was ten to learn how to camp and hike.”
In context“The local scout troop organised a weekend expedition to teach the younger members basic navigation and first aid.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who cleans rooms at one of the colleges at Oxford University.
n.a domestic cleaner or housekeeper employed by a constituent college of Oxford University.
Simple“The college scout came in every morning to empty the bins and tidy the study.”
In context“In the traditional Oxford system, the scout is responsible for the maintenance of student sets within a specific staircase.”
UsageThis term is specific to Oxford University; Cambridge uses the term 'bedder'.
Synonyms - 05 B1 Intermediate
v.to look around an area to find information or to find something you need.
v.to explore or examine a specific area or situation in order to gather information.
Simple“We should scout the area for a good place to set up our tent.”
In context“The director spent weeks scouting locations across the desert to find the perfect backdrop for the film's opening scene.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'out' or 'for'.
Synonyms