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to scud

to scud

1 8.0
To move quickly and smoothly, pushed by the wind
  • verb
  • /skʌd/
translation icon : correr
  • "I'm gonna let you up now, Monty, so don't go scud on me again, okay?
  • clouds scud

Examples

  • Another breeze is bearing up a fresh offering of debris as their bus scuds up to the curb.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • As Hadley stepped into the clearing, she zipped her jacket against the cold wind that was sweeping down Hogback Hill, making the bare branches of the trees rattle and the gray clouds scud across the darkening November sky.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Clouds scud in front of the sun.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Huge clouds scud across the horizon.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Frantic, Chuck lets out the sea anchor as the raft scuds down a huge wave.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • He scuds along the breeze, rising like a bubble in the ocean, until he can cover his house with his hand, his palm, his thumb.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Even still, the Beaver scuds along the fractured surface of the lake until her floats jar up tight onto the gravel beach in front.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • It was one of those clear, frosty days when the wind snaps your cloak and fleets of clouds scud like warships across the sky.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • No, no... when a clumsy cloud from here meets a fluffy little cloud from there... he billows towards her... she scurries away and he scuds right up to her.

  • The clouds scud swiftly across the sky as the storm approaches.

Synonyms

to shoot
vsto scud
351 1.6

To move very quickly in one direction

is equally fast but shows smoother, wind pushed motion rather than abruptness
to dash
vsto scud
73 1.0

To move very quickly to reach a place

moves similarly fast but with smoother wind driven motion
to dart
vsto scud
64 2.2

To move quickly and suddenly in one direction

moves fast too but with continuous smooth drift pushed by wind
to scoot
vsto scud
  • Informal
29 2.8

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

is fast too but lacks playful abruptness, showing smooth wind propelled motion
to flash
vsto scud
12 2.2

To move very quickly for a short time

is similar in speed but describes steady smooth movement driven by wind
to voom
vsto scud
9.9

To move very quickly and make a rushing sound

moves the same way but specifically as driven by wind

Antonyms

207 3.7

To stay in a place longer than expected because you do not want to leave

19 2.7

A very slow movement, often of traffic or of a project

How Fast

to rush
548 1.0
to scud
1 8.0
to glide
89 2.9
to drift
331 2.9

Surface Forms

scud infinitive
scudded past
scudded past participle
scudding present participle
scuds third person singular

Etymology

Scud probably comes from old words that describe a quick, sliding movement in the wind, and a helpful way to remember it is to think of scurry or skid, which also suggest fast motion. So, to scud is to 'move quickly and smoothly', often pushed by the wind.