# scouts

/ˈskaʊts/ (US) · /skˈaʊts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scouts
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. youth organisation

noun · CEFR B1

a worldwide organisation for young people that teaches life skills, camping, and community service.

For teachers: a global youth movement focused on physical, mental, and spiritual development through outdoor activities and community service.

- My brother joined the Scouts to learn how to build a fire and navigate with a compass.
- The local troop of Scouts organised a weekend camping trip to practice their survival skills and earn new merit badges.

Usage: Often capitalised when referring to the official organisation.

### 2. people sent to find information

noun · CEFR B2

people sent ahead of a group to look for information or to find the best way to go.

For teachers: individuals, often in a military or sports context, sent ahead to gather intelligence or identify talent.

- The army sent scouts into the valley to see if the enemy was hiding there.
- Several talent scouts from major European football clubs attended the youth tournament to identify promising young players.

## Examples

- The team sent scouts to watch the young player.
- Military scouts moved quietly through the forest to check for any signs of the enemy camp.
- Professional sports organizations invest heavily in international scouts to identify promising athletes before they are signed by rival clubs in more established markets.

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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.