How Do You Spell SKEDADDLE?

Pronunciation: [skˈɛdadə͡l] (IPA)

Skedaddle is a fun word with an unusual spelling. It means to flee quickly or run away. The IPA phonetic transcription of skedaddle is /skɪˈdædəl/. The word starts with the sound /sk/, which is a consonant cluster made up of the sounds /s/ and /k/. The next syllable has the short vowel sound /ɪ/, followed by the consonant cluster /dæd/. The final syllable has a schwa sound /əl/. Even though the spelling may seem confusing, the IPA transcription makes it clear how the word should be pronounced.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Conjugate verb
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SKEDADDLE Meaning and Definition

  1. Skedaddle is a colloquial verb that means to suddenly run away or depart quickly and hurriedly from a place or situation, typically in order to avoid trouble or danger. It implies a hasty and often clumsy movement, often used humorously or lightheartedly to describe someone's sudden departure.

    The word originated in the United States, particularly during the American Civil War, and gradually entered into common usage. It exhibits a lively and somewhat playful tone, often used to add emphasis or excitement to the act of fleeing or escaping from a particular situation. Skedaddle is frequently used to describe the action of animals, particularly smaller creatures, in scurrying away from danger or perceived threats.

    The term carries a connotation of suddenness, urgency, and a sense of chaotic retreat. It portrays an image of individuals or creatures quickly and recklessly fleeing a potentially hostile or threatening environment. Skedaddle is typically used in informal or casual contexts and possesses a slang-like quality that adds a sense of informality and vibrancy to its meaning.

    In summary, skedaddle is a lively and playful verb that describes the act of rapidly and unceremoniously departing from a place or situation to evade danger or trouble. It conveys a sense of hastiness and often carries humorous undertones, making it a colorful and expressive addition to the English lexicon.

  2. An Americanism-to act the coward in running away from the post of danger or duty; to betake one's self to flight in a hasty or secret manner; to flee.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SKEDADDLE

Etymology of SKEDADDLE

The word "skedaddle" dates back to the mid-19th century in the United States. Its exact origin is uncertain, but there are a few theories surrounding its etymology.

One theory suggests that "skedaddle" may have derived from the Spanish term "escodar", which means "to run away" or "to escape". Considering the close proximity between the US and Mexico, it's plausible that this Spanish word transitioned into American English. Over time, "escodar" could have been anglicized into "skedaddle".

Another theory proposes that the word could have emerged from a military context during the American Civil War. The term "scaddle" was used among soldiers to mean "to scatter" or "to disperse". "Skedaddle" could have then developed as a rhyming alteration or a playful distortion of "scaddle".

Conjugate verb Skedaddle

CONDITIONAL

I would skedaddle
you would skedaddle
he/she/it would skedaddle
we would skedaddle
they would skedaddle

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be skedaddling
you would be skedaddling
he/she/it would be skedaddling
we would be skedaddling
they would be skedaddling

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have skedaddle
you would have skedaddle
he/she/it would have skedaddle
we would have skedaddle
they would have skedaddle

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been skedaddling
you would have been skedaddling
he/she/it would have been skedaddling
we would have been skedaddling
they would have been skedaddling

FUTURE

I will skedaddle
you will skedaddle
he/she/it will skedaddle
we will skedaddle
they will skedaddle

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be skedaddling
you will be skedaddling
he/she/it will be skedaddling
we will be skedaddling
they will be skedaddling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have skedaddled
you will have skedaddled
he/she/it will have skedaddled
we will have skedaddled
they will have skedaddled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been skedaddling
you will have been skedaddling
he/she/it will have been skedaddling
we will have been skedaddling
they will have been skedaddling

IMPERATIVE

you skedaddle
we let´s skedaddle

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to skedaddle

PAST

I skedaddled
you skedaddled
he/she/it skedaddled
we skedaddled
they skedaddled

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was skedaddling
you were skedaddling
he/she/it was skedaddling
we were skedaddling
they were skedaddling

PAST PARTICIPLE

skedaddled

PAST PERFECT

I had skedaddled
you had skedaddled
he/she/it had skedaddled
we had skedaddled
they had skedaddled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been skedaddling
you had been skedaddling
he/she/it had been skedaddling
we had been skedaddling
they had been skedaddling

PRESENT

I skedaddle
you skedaddle
he/she/it skedaddles
we skedaddle
they skedaddle

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am skedaddling
you are skedaddling
he/she/it is skedaddling
we are skedaddling
they are skedaddling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

skedaddling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have skedaddled
you have skedaddled
he/she/it has skedaddled
we have skedaddled
they have skedaddled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been skedaddling
you have been skedaddling
he/she/it has been skedaddling
we have been skedaddling
they have been skedaddling
I would have skedaddled
we would have skedaddled
you would have skedaddled
he/she/it would have skedaddled
they would have skedaddled

Infographic

Correct spelling for skedaddle
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