scout
scout Lexical Profile
scout Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A professional employed to search for and recruit talented athletes, musicians, actors, or models.
"A college basketball scout attended the championship game to evaluate the team's point guard."
A member of the Scout Movement, an international youth organization focused on outdoor survival skills, citizenship, and personal development.
"As a young scout, she learned how to read a compass and pitch a tent in the rain."
A person, vehicle, or aircraft sent out ahead of a main force or expedition to gather information about the terrain, environment, or an opponent's position.
"The expedition leader sent a scout ahead to check whether the mountain pass was clear of snow."
An act of searching, exploring, or reconnoitering an area to gather information.
"After a quick scout around the neighborhood, they found a cozy cafe for lunch."
• verb
To explore or examine an area in order to gather information about its features, resources, or suitability.
"The film crew spent two weeks in New Zealand to scout locations for the upcoming movie."
To search for and evaluate talented individuals to recruit for a sports team, performance group, or company.
"Major record labels often send representatives to small venues to scout promising young musicians."
To reject, dismiss, or treat an idea or proposal with derision (representing a distinct homographic verb of Scandinavian origin).
"The committee initially tended to scout the proposal as impractical, but later reconsidered its merits."
• Rhymes for scout
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French escouter ('to listen, heed'), which derives from Latin auscultare ('to listen attentively'). The meaning shifted from listening in secret to observing and reconnoitering ahead of a main force.