Quick answer
Skedaddle means to leave quickly or hurry away. It is casual and playful, often used when someone makes a quick exit.
Word page
Skedaddle Meaning
Skedaddle means to leave quickly, hurry off, or run away. It is informal, lively, and often a little comic, which makes it more colorful than simply saying “go.”
At a glance
informalaction wordplayful
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, to skedaddle is to get moving and leave, usually quickly. It can mean running away from trouble, leaving before something awkward happens, or simply hurrying off.
The word is less serious than “flee.” It usually sounds casual, comic, or lightly old-fashioned.
Tone, context and nuance
Skedaddle is informal and expressive. It is useful when the action is quick but not necessarily dangerous or dramatic.
Use it in conversation, dialogue, children’s writing, humorous prose, or casual storytelling. Use “leave,” “depart,” “evacuate,” or “flee” when the context is serious.
Common mistakes
- Using it for a formal departure: “depart” or “leave” is better in official writing.
- Making it too serious: skedaddle sounds light even when the exit is urgent.
- Misspelling it: the common spelling is skedaddle.
- Confusing it with schedule: the words only look a little similar; the meanings are unrelated.
Example sentences
- Simple: We should skedaddle before the parking lot fills up.
- Everyday: She finished her coffee and skedaddled to work.
- Writing: The guests began to skedaddle when the argument reached the dessert table.
- Nuance: Skedaddle makes the exit sound quick and slightly comic.
- Awkward: “The company will skedaddle from the contract.” Better: “The company will withdraw from the contract.”
Similar words and differences
Opposite words
- Stay: not leave.
- Remain: continue in place.
- Linger: stay longer than expected.
- Arrive: come to a place rather than leave it.
Word family
Related forms include skedaddled and skedaddling. The verb is usually intransitive: people skedaddle from somewhere or simply skedaddle.
Word origin
Skedaddle is often associated with American English and became especially noticeable in the 19th century. Its exact origin is uncertain, which is common with lively informal words.
The uncertainty does not affect modern use: today it clearly means to leave quickly or hurry off.
Writing tip
Use skedaddle when you want movement with a grin. If the sentence involves danger, law, or formal process, choose a plainer word so the tone does not become accidentally silly.
Common questions
- What does skedaddle mean? Skedaddle means to leave quickly, hurry off, or run away.
- How do you pronounce skedaddle? Pronounce it skuh-DAD-ul.
- Is skedaddle informal? Yes. Skedaddle is informal and often playful or old-fashioned.
- Is skedaddle American English? It is strongly associated with American English, though readers elsewhere may recognize it.
- What is another word for skedaddle? Similar words include leave, hurry away, flee, bolt, and absquatulate.
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Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 13, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.