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Glite Dictionary
🍂 To move quickly 🎣 To make skip
to skitter

to skitter

9 6.1
To move lightly and quickly, often in short quick steps like a leaf or small animal
  • verb
  • /ˈskɪtər/
translation icon : deslizarse
  • A breeze stirred the surface of the pool, sending the purple blossoms skittering to one side.
  • skitter away
  • skittered across the floor
  • Lizard skittered

Examples

  • Pigeons fluttered nearby, and some small rodents skittered away at her approach.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • In a minute, she got bored with being admired and skittered away to stalk a fly.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • "What do you mean?" She let the rest of the beads skitter through her fingers.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • After the rain stopped, the sun skittered out from the clouds.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I pull it free, so hard the nail flies out and goes skittering across the room.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • "Do you like to look at me?" Her gaze skittered across his shoulders.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Several of the winged creatures skittered away from it as if blown by the wind.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The raccoon started at the sound of his voice and skittered away into the darkening afternoon.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • In another place, there might be red and yellow leaves skittering across the pavement, perhaps a bluebird or two.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The child skittered across the playground, eager to join her friends on the swings.

Synonyms

to scurry
vsto skitter
54 3.1

To move quickly with short, hurried steps because you feel afraid or rushed

is lighter and more skipping rather than strongly hurried by fear
to scuttle
vsto skitter
31 5.5

To move quickly with short hurried steps, often to hide or escape

is more delicate and gliding with a playful or nervous quality
to scoot
vsto skitter
  • Informal
29 2.8

Move a short distance quickly, often to make room or hurry

is lighter and more gliding with a skimming, nervous character
to scamper
vsto skitter
22 3.2

To move quickly with small, light, playful steps

is similar but leans more toward light, skimming, or nervous motion
to flit
vsto skitter
18 6.1

To move quickly and lightly from one place to another

is similar but often adds a skipping or nervous movement quality
to scutter
vsto skitter
  • UK
1 8.2

To move quickly with short, hurried steps when you feel nervous

is lighter and more gliding with a skipping nervous motion
to flitter
vsto skitter
1 6.9

To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth

is more horizontal and skimming rather than purely fluttering motion

Antonyms

to trudge
21 5.5

To walk slowly with heavy steps because you are tired

Phrasal Verbs

to skitter away
1 5.8

To move quickly and lightly away, often because something scares you

How Fast

to sprint
46 1.0
to dart
64 2.2
to skitter
9 6.1
to scurry
54 3.1
to creep
155 2.5

Surface Forms

skitter infinitive
skittered past
skittered past participle
skittering present participle
skitters third person singular

Etymology

Skitter comes from an old sound word that copies quick, light movement, like the little slips you hear in skip and skid. So skitter means 'to move lightly and quickly', often with a nervous, skipping or gliding motion.