Harum-scarum
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˌhɛəɹəmˈskɛəɹəm/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Harum-scarum is an adjective meaning wild, careless, irresponsible.
Meaning
wild, careless, irresponsible.
More Meanings
- wildly, carelessly, irresponsibly
- A giddy, rash person.
Example Sentences
1800, Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent […] for he never looked after anything at all, but harum-scarum called for everything as if we were conjurors, or he in a public-house.
1832, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Eugene Aram Lester's good heart will be to hear that little Peter is so improved;--no longer a dissolute, harum-scarum fellow, throwing away his money, and always in debt.
Word Forms
- harum-scarums
Synonyms for harum-scarum
Depending on context, synonyms include devil-may-care, carefree, lunatic, freewheeling, slaphappy, irresponsible.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include hothead, madcap, lunatic, daredevil, pell-mell, devil-may-care.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.