scout

scout — noun

1. a soldier or other person sent ahead of a main group to secretly gather informat

1.nounB2
Definition

a soldier or other person sent ahead of a main group to secretly gather information about the enemy's position, movements, or strength

Example

The scout crawled through the tall grass to get a closer look at the enemy camp.

collocation: scout + crawl / scout + enemy camp

Daichi served as a scout during his time in the army, mapping dangerous paths before the main troops moved in.

Common collocations
  • enemy scout
  • military scout
  • army scout
  • send a scout
  • scout ahead
  • scout team
Synonyms
  • reconnaissance officer

    a formal military rank or role, more specific than scout

  • lookout

    focuses on watching for danger rather than gathering strategic information

  • pathfinder

    emphasizes finding safe routes rather than observing the enemy

Grammar Patterns

scout + verb (acted as a scout)

Usage Note

Often used in military or survival contexts. The scout's role is strategic observation, not direct combat — this distinguishes a scout from a spy, who typically works secretly inside enemy organizations.

2. someone whose paid job is finding talented newcomers such as athletes, musicians

2.nounB1
Definition

someone whose paid job is finding talented newcomers such as athletes, musicians, or actors for a team or agency

Example

A music scout spotted Shirin singing at a local festival and offered her a recording contract.

collocation: scout + spotted + [talent]

Football clubs employ scouts to watch young players at weekend matches across the country.

Common collocations
  • talent scout
  • sports scout
  • music scout
  • scout for a team
  • scout spots
  • scout discovers
Synonyms
  • talent scout

    the full compound form, more formal and unambiguous than 'scout' alone

  • recruiter

    broader — can be for any job, not just entertainment or sports

  • spotter

    informal, emphasizes the act of noticing talent rather than the professional role

Grammar Patterns

scout + verb (spotted, discovered)

Common Mistakes

The scout in the army discovered the singer.
The talent scout discovered the singer.
Use 'talent scout' when referring to a person who finds performers or athletes, not a military scout.

3. a quick inspection of an area to find out what is there or to locate something y

3.nounB2
Definition

a quick inspection of an area to find out what is there or to locate something you need

Example

Felipe took a quick scout around the neighborhood before deciding which apartment to rent.

We did a scout of the forest trail before bringing the whole group there for the weekend hike.

collocation: do a scout of [place]

Common collocations
  • have a scout
  • do a scout
  • quick scout
  • brief scout
  • scout around
  • scout of the area
Synonyms
  • look

    less specific — does not imply searching for something particular

  • reconnaissance

    formal term, primarily military, much less common in everyday speech

  • survey

    more systematic and thorough than a quick scout

Grammar Patterns

have a scout around [place]

do a scout of [place]

Usage Note

Typically used in informal speech rather than formal writing. The verb-like structure 'have a scout around' behaves like other light-verb phrases such as 'have a look around' or 'take a walk around.'

4. an international organization for young people that teaches outdoor skills, self

4.nounA2
Definition

an international organization for young people that teaches outdoor skills, self-reliance, and community service through activities such as camping and volunteering

Example

The Scouts teach young people how to build a campfire, tie strong knots, and work well as a team.

collocation: the Scouts + teach [skills]

Tamar joined the Scouts when she was ten and quickly learned how to set up a tent by herself.

Common collocations
  • the Scouts
  • Scout Association
  • Scout group
  • join the Scouts
  • Scout leader
  • Scout troop
Synonyms
  • Scout Association

    the formal name of the organization in the UK and many other countries

  • Girl Scouts

    a separate parallel organization for girls, especially in the US

  • Boy Scouts

    historical name; today many groups are co-educational

Grammar Patterns

the Scouts + verb

Usage Note

When referring to the organization, always capitalize 'Scouts' or 'Scout Association.' The word 'Scout' in the name is a proper noun. Many countries have their own national Scout organizations under the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

5. a child or teenager who belongs to the Scouts and takes part in its activities

5.nounA2
Definition

a child or teenager who belongs to the Scouts and takes part in its activities

Example

Each scout wears a uniform with badges that show the skills they have mastered.

collocation: scout + wears uniform / earns badges

The young scouts helped plant trees in the park as part of their community service work.

Common collocations
  • young scout
  • scout uniform
  • scout badge
  • scout troop
  • fellow scout
  • be a scout
Synonyms
  • Girl Scout

    a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA or similar organizations for girls

  • Boy Scout

    a member of the Boy Scouts (historical; now often simply 'scout')

  • member of the Scouts

    a more formal, descriptive phrase

Grammar Patterns

scout + verb

scout + wears / earns

Usage Note

The word 'scout' as a member of the organization is not capitalized (unlike 'the Scouts' as the organization name). You can also specify 'Girl Scout' or 'Boy Scout' depending on the branch.

Common Mistakes

She is a Scout member.
She is a scout.
When referring to a person, you usually just say 'a scout,' not 'a Scout member.'

scout — verb

Word family

  • scouting
    nounB1
  • scoutmaster
    nounC1
  • scouter
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs involve looking for something, but they differ in purpose and method. 'Search' is the most general term — you can search for a lost key, a solution online, or a person in a crowd. 'Scout' implies moving through a physical area to gather information or find something suitable, often with a practical goal in mind (a film scout, a sports scout). 'Explore' emphasizes curiosity and discovery rather than a specific target — you explore a new city or an unknown cave without knowing what you'll find. 'Survey' is more methodical and often technical, involving measurement or systematic assessment, such as surveying land before construction. 'Hunt' is more active and determined, often with a sense of urgency or pursuit, like hunting for a bargain or missing documents. For everyday use: if you have a clear goal and are checking physical places, 'scout' fits best. Example: 'We scouted three parks before choosing one for the picnic.'

search ↗explore ↗survey ↗hunt ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • on the scout for
  • scout out
  • scout ahead

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'scout' entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'escouter,' meaning 'to listen.' It traces further back to Latin 'auscultare,' also meaning 'to listen carefully.' Originally, a scout was someone who listened secretly — the verb sense of 'listening for information' gradually broadened to include watching and observing. By the 16th century, the military meaning of a soldier sent to gather intelligence was well established. The youth organization sense dates from the early 20th century, named by founder Robert Baden-Powell after the military scouts whose skills of observation and survival he admired.