Skip to main content
to skelter

to skelter

9.6
To move quickly in a confused way
  • verb
  • /ˈskɛltər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : moverse desordenadamente
  • Don't skelter through the house!

Examples

  • The children skeltered out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang.

  • When the rain started, people skeltered for cover under the nearest awning.

  • Excited fans skeltered toward the stage when the band appeared.

  • The children skeltered around the playground.

  • The children skelter away from the approaching storm, laughing and shouting in excitement.

  • He skeltered through the crowded market, trying to find a way out before the rain started.

  • As the fire alarm rang, everyone skeltered towards the exits in a panic.

Synonyms

to scamper
vsto skelter
22 3.2

To move quickly with small, light, playful steps

is more confused and disorderly, not playful or light in tone
to flurry
vsto skelter
1 4.6

To move quickly in a worried or confused way

is more about rapid disorder and lack of control
to scutter
vsto skelter
  • UK
1 8.2

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

is broader, focusing on confused disorder rather than nervous steps
scurrying
vsto skelter
5.2

To move quickly with short, hurried steps because of fear

is about chaotic disorder rather than movement driven by fear

Antonyms

1.0

At a low speed without hurrying

27 4.0

In an organized step by step way

Idioms

9.9

In a confused, hurried way with no order

Compounds

In a confused, messy way with no order

How Disorderly

to skelter
  • Archaic
9.6
to scramble
118 3.2
to rush
548 1.0
to hurry
1.0
to walk
1.0

Surface Forms

skelter infinitive
skeltered past
skeltered past participle
skeltering present participle
skelters third person singular

Etymology

Skelter comes from the same rhyming pair helter-skelter, once used to mean 'rush in confusion'. So to skelter is to move quickly in a confused or disorderly way.