# scouting

/ˈskaʊtɪŋ/ (US) · /skˈaʊtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scouting
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. searching for talent

noun · CEFR B2

the job of looking for talented people, like new players for a sports team or new models.

For teachers: the systematic search for and evaluation of talented individuals, typically for professional sports, entertainment, or corporate recruitment.

- The team's scouting led them to find a great young player in a small town.
- The club invested heavily in international scouting, hoping to identify undervalued talent in emerging leagues before their competitors did.

### 2. the Scout movement

noun · CEFR B1

the activities and organization of the Scouts, where young people learn outdoor skills.

For teachers: the activities, principles, and organization of the international Scout movement for young people.

- He spent his weekends doing scouting activities like camping and hiking.
- Scouting remains a popular extracurricular choice for parents who want their children to develop practical survival skills and a sense of civic duty.

### 3. gathering information

noun · CEFR B2

the act of exploring an area to get information about it.

For teachers: the act of reconnoitring or exploring an area to gather information, often for military or strategic purposes.

- After some scouting, they found the best path through the woods.
- The advance party was sent ahead for some preliminary scouting of the terrain to ensure the main group could pass safely.

## Examples

- The team sent a scout for talent scouting in South America.
- After weeks of scouting, the director finally found the perfect desert location for the movie's opening scene.
- Effective talent scouting requires not only an eye for current skill but also the ability to project how a young athlete might develop within a professional training environment over several years.

---

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.