scouted; scouting; scouts
1
: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)
2
a
: to make a search
b
: to work as a talent scout
1
: to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate
2
: to explore in order to obtain information
3
: to find by making a search
plural scouts
1
a
: one sent to obtain information
especially
: a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter
c
sports
(1)
: a person sent out to secure firsthand information about the style of play, tactics, and strength of a rival
(2)
: a person sent out to obtain information about players by watching them in action with a view to making recommendations about the acquisition of players
d
2
a
: the act of scouting
b
: a scouting expedition : reconnaissance
3
often capitalized
: a member of any of various scouting movements: such as
a
b
4
: individual, person
—used chiefly in the phrase good scout
scouted; scouting; scouts
1
: mock
2
: to reject scornfully
scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehood—
Mark Twain
Mark TwainSynonyms
Examples of scout in a Sentence
Noun
you're a good scout
Verb (2)
the actor's attempt to rationalize his racist comments were roundly scouted by the media
Recent Examples on the WebLi Yuan, New York Times, 20 May 2024
Although there are no main characters for most of the story, the film eventually focuses on four soldiers who split off from the rest of the squad to scout a route through the mountains.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Apart from one long, destabilizing battle with an unseen adversary, the portrayal is a relatively peaceful one, following a group of Union soldiers assigned to scout the Northwestern frontier in 1862.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 May 2024
On a high plateau at the intersection of two rivers and a lake in eastern China, an open plain was scouted as the potential site for a new construction project.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
Perhaps shooting is still part of scouting but using this large picture sends the wrong message in these times when shooting seems to be the answer to everything.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024
Why make the extra commitment to scouting or being outdoors for that?
—The Editors, National Review, 10 May 2024
His account boasted of scouting the mall before the shooting.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024
Kaplan and Parkins believe this reflects the broadening scope of roles within NBA organizations, stretching from data analytics to film scouting to draft preparation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
Some other players who helped themselves in scrimmages, according to scouts, included Houston’s Jamal Shead, UCLA’s Adem Bona, Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro and Colorado’s KJ Simpson.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
Some scouts view the 6-foot-6 Castle as a combo guard and the Hornets could use help in that department with Terry Rozier in Miami and their backcourt uncertainty outside of LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2024
At the Teatro Costanzi, more than half of the children at the sleepover belonged to scout troops from Rome’s outlying neighborhoods.
—Elisabetta Povoledo Alessandro Penso, New York Times, 13 May 2024
At the event, potential draftees will perform athletic tests and drills in front of NBA scouts, coaches and general managers.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2024
So, with scouts and coaches projecting him to play to in the slot in the NFL, Smith-Wade took a crash course on the nickel position at the Senior Bowl in January.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Holmes, a former defensive linemen with North Carolina A&T, said cornerbacks were his focus for more than a decade as a Rams cross-checker scout.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Bean did play in the Hula Bowl, an all-star game attended by plenty of NFL pro scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2024
Verb
Chinese venture capitalists no longer descend on Silicon Valley to scout the hottest start-ups.
—Li Yuan, New York Times, 20 May 2024
Although there are no main characters for most of the story, the film eventually focuses on four soldiers who split off from the rest of the squad to scout a route through the mountains.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Apart from one long, destabilizing battle with an unseen adversary, the portrayal is a relatively peaceful one, following a group of Union soldiers assigned to scout the Northwestern frontier in 1862.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 May 2024
On a high plateau at the intersection of two rivers and a lake in eastern China, an open plain was scouted as the potential site for a new construction project.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2024
Perhaps shooting is still part of scouting but using this large picture sends the wrong message in these times when shooting seems to be the answer to everything.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024
Why make the extra commitment to scouting or being outdoors for that?
—The Editors, National Review, 10 May 2024
His account boasted of scouting the mall before the shooting.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024
Kaplan and Parkins believe this reflects the broadening scope of roles within NBA organizations, stretching from data analytics to film scouting to draft preparation.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
Noun
Falcons acted on the belief of their scouts, a defensible move even if the fallout could be daunting.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024
Some other players who helped themselves in scrimmages, according to scouts, included Houston’s Jamal Shead, UCLA’s Adem Bona, Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro and Colorado’s KJ Simpson.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024
Some scouts view the 6-foot-6 Castle as a combo guard and the Hornets could use help in that department with Terry Rozier in Miami and their backcourt uncertainty outside of LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2024
At the Teatro Costanzi, more than half of the children at the sleepover belonged to scout troops from Rome’s outlying neighborhoods.
—Elisabetta Povoledo Alessandro Penso, New York Times, 13 May 2024
At the event, potential draftees will perform athletic tests and drills in front of NBA scouts, coaches and general managers.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2024
So, with scouts and coaches projecting him to play to in the slot in the NFL, Smith-Wade took a crash course on the nickel position at the Senior Bowl in January.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2024
Holmes, a former defensive linemen with North Carolina A&T, said cornerbacks were his focus for more than a decade as a Rams cross-checker scout.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Bean did play in the Hula Bowl, an all-star game attended by plenty of NFL pro scouts.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scout
Cite this Entry
“Scout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scout. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scout
1 of 3 verb1
: to go about and observe in search of information : reconnoiter
2
a
: to make a search
scout about for firewood
b
: to find by searching
scouted up the necessary supplies
scout
2 of 3 noun1
a
: one sent to obtain information and especially to survey in preparation for military action in war
b
: a person who searches for talented newcomers
a baseball scout
2
: the act or an instance of scouting : reconnaissance
3
4
: individual entry 2 sense 2, person
you're a good scout
Etymology
Verb
Middle English scouten "to explore an area for information," from early French escouter "to listen," from Latin auscultare "to listen"
Verb
of Scandinavian origin
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