to scutter
- verb
- /ˈskʌtər/
- UK
- It scuttered loudly on the linoleum.
Examples
-
On the 3 km-long plateau, we even spot an outrageously cute dassie (a myrax that resembles a guinea pig) scuttering across grey rocks.
Blog text (29) -
Other aliens scutter closer to the pool.
Fiction book (1997) -
Beetles scuttered in amongst them.
Fiction book (2001) -
It was a blustery, cloudless night, a blue wedge of moon, and dead leaves scuttering in sidewalk eddies.
Fiction book (2001) -
The cat scuttered across the room when it heard a loud noise.
-
Children scuttered down the street, eager to catch the ice cream truck.
-
As the storm approached, leaves scuttered along the pavement, carried by the wind.
Synonyms
To move quickly with short, hurried steps because you feel afraid or rushed
To move quickly with short hurried steps, often to hide or escape
Move a short distance quickly, often to make room or hurry
To move quickly with small, light, playful steps
To move lightly and quickly, often in short quick steps like a leaf or small animal
To move quickly with short, hurried steps because of fear
How Fast
Surface Forms
Etymology
Scutter is likely an imitation of a quick, light sound, like the words scuttle, skitter, and scurry that all suggest fast, small steps. A helpful way to remember scutter is to picture a mouse in a quick scurry, because scutter means 'to move quickly with short, hurried steps'.