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Dawdle vs Scamper - What's the difference?

dawdle | scamper | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between dawdle and scamper

is that dawdle is to move or walk lackadaisically while scamper is to run quickly and lightly, especially in a playful manner or in an undignified manner.

dawdle

English

Verb

(dawdl)
  • To spend time idly and unfruitfully, to waste time.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Neil Johnston , title=Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=However all Hennessey's good work went to waste on 52 minutes when he dawdled on the ball.}}
  • * Johnson
    • Come some evening and dawdle over a dish of tea with me.
  • To spend (time) without haste or purpose.
    • to dawdle away the whole morning
  • To move or walk lackadaisically.
    • If you dawdle on your daily walk, you won't get as much exercise.
  • * Thackeray
    • We dawdle up and down Pall Mall.

    See also

    * dally, dander, dandle, diddle, loaf, piddle, wander, doodle

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A dawdler.

    • Anagrams

    * English intransitive verbs

    scamper

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A quick, light run.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To run quickly and lightly, especially in a playful manner or in an undignified manner.
    • The dog scampered after the squirrel.
  • * 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 1
    • The younger and lighter members of his tribe scampered to the higher branches of the great trees to escape his wrath; risking their lives upon branches that scarce supported their weight rather than face old Kerchak in one of his fits of uncontrolled anger.

    Synonyms

    * scurry * See also

    Anagrams

    * English intransitive verbs