scout

1 of 3

verb (1)

scouted; scouting; scouts

intransitive verb

1
: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)
2
a
: to make a search
b
: to work as a talent scout

transitive verb

1
: to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate
2
: to explore in order to obtain information
3
: to find by making a search

scout

2 of 3

noun

plural scouts
1
a
: one sent to obtain information
especially : a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter
c sports
(1)
: a person sent out to secure firsthand information about the style of play, tactics, and strength of a rival
(2)
: a person sent out to obtain information about players by watching them in action with a view to making recommendations about the acquisition of players
2
a
: the act of scouting
b
: a scouting expedition : reconnaissance
3
often capitalized : a member of any of various scouting movements: such as
a
4
: individual, person
used chiefly in the phrase good scout

scout

3 of 3

verb (2)

scouted; scouting; scouts

transitive verb

1
: mock
2
: to reject scornfully
scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehoodMark Twain

Examples of scout in a Sentence

Noun you're a good scout Verb (2) the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Adapting to the freshest sign discovered while scouting. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024 Walker, a scouting consultant for the Los Angeles Rams and the author of The Captain Class: A New Theory ... Jack Butler, National Review, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
As our film contract stipulates, Han and Leo have been put up in the Bowery Hotel during the two-day shoot — two days, at least, when the loft is safe — and the location scout grabs photos of the destruction. Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024 Poets and cub scouts, romantics and scientists, people young and old around the world have looked up and been dazzled by the flecks of light speckled across the night’s inky canvas. Abbey Stone, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scout 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French escuter to listen, from Latin auscultare — more at auscultation

Verb (2)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skūti taunt; akin to Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scout was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scout

Cite this Entry

“Scout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scout. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scout

1 of 3 verb
1
: to go about and observe in search of information : reconnoiter
2
a
: to make a search
scout about for firewood
b
: to find by searching
scouted up the necessary supplies

scout

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: one sent to obtain information and especially to survey in preparation for military action in war
b
: a person who searches for talented newcomers
a baseball scout
2
: the act or an instance of scouting : reconnaissance
3
often capitalized
a
4
: individual entry 2 sense 2, person
you're a good scout

scout

3 of 3 verb
1
2
: to reject as foolish
Etymology

Verb

Middle English scouten "to explore an area for information," from early French escouter "to listen," from Latin auscultare "to listen"

Verb

of Scandinavian origin

More from Merriam-Webster on scout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!