Scout — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈskau̇t/

Meaning & Definition of Scout

Scout (verb)

  1. to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)
  2. to make a search
  3. to work as a talent scout
  4. mock
  5. to reject scornfully
  6. scoff

Scout (noun)

  1. one sent to obtain information; especially, a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter
  2. watchman, lookout
  3. a person sent out to secure firsthand information about the style of play, tactics, and strength of a rival

Scout (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a member of the human race

    "you're a good scout"

    similar: baby, being, bird, bod (British), body, character, cookie, creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, slob, sort, soul, specimen, stiff, thing, wight, son of man
    related: hominid, homo, humanoid, brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor, celebrity, personality, self, somebody
    near: animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter

Scout (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter

    "the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media"

    similar: deride, gibe, jeer, laugh (at), mock, ridicule, shoot down, skewer, cock a snook (at), make fun of, make sport of, poke fun at, rag on
    related: scoff (at), scorn, sneer (at), bad-mouth, belittle, decry, disparage, pooh-pooh, put down, chaff, jive, josh, kid, quiz, rally, razz, rib, ride, tease, tweak, twit, bait, barrack (chiefly British), bug, catcall, harass, harry, hassle, heckle, needle, pester, rag, target, taunt, torment, ape, burlesque, caricature, imitate, lampoon, mimic, parody, parrot, pillory, satirize, take off (on), travesty
    near: applaud, approve, commend, endorse, sanction

Related Entry: Scout (up) (verb)

Scout (up) is a different word from Scout. The synonyms below are for scout (up), not for scout.

  1. to come upon after searching, study, or effort

    "I think I've scouted up a way for us to manage this"

    similar: ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find, find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, track (down), turn up
    related: espy, sight, spot, look for, search (for or out), seek
    opposite: miss, overlook, pass over
    near: lose, mislay, misplace, misset

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scout

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scout:

British: bod
baby, being, bird, body, character, cookie, creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, slob, sort, soul, specimen, stiff, thing, wight, son of man, deride, gibe, jeer, laugh (at), mock, ridicule, shoot down, skewer

Related Words for Scout

hominid, homo, humanoid, brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor, celebrity, personality, self, somebody, scoff (at), scorn, sneer (at), bad-mouth, belittle, decry, disparage, pooh-pooh, put down, chaff, jive, josh, kid, quiz, rally, razz, rib, ride, tease

Near Antonyms of Scout

animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter, applaud, approve, commend, endorse, sanction

Word Forms of Scout

Inflections: scouted, scouting, scouts

Origin & Etymology of Scout

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

First known use: 15th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Scout

scout car, Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Eagle Scout, Girl Scout, Sea Scout, talent scout

Frequently Asked Questions about Scout

What does "Scout" mean?

"Scout" means to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy). As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Scout"?

Other words for "Scout" include baby, being, bird, bod, body, character, cookie and creature. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scout" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scout"?

There are 104 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scout". Common alternatives include baby, being, bird, bod, body, character, cookie, creature, customer and devil.

How do you use "Scout" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scout" in a sentence: "you're a good scout"; "the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media".

Is "Scout" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scout" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Scout"?

"Scout" is pronounced /ˈskau̇t/.

What is the origin of the word "Scout"?

"Scout" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French escuter to listen, from Latin auscultare auscultation. First known use: 15th centuryi.

What is another word for "Scout" meaning "a member of the human race"?

When "Scout" (noun) means a member of the human race, synonyms include baby, being, bird, bod, body and character.