scooter
SKOO-ter
/ˈskuːtər/
A vehicle with small wheels, a low deck, and a handlebar, propelled by pushing or an electric motor.
Spans stand-up push/electric kick scooters and low-step motor scooters.
The story behind the word. The dialect verb 'scoot' meant to dart off rapidly. In the early 20th century, children made crude homemade toys by attaching roller skate wheels and wooden handlebars to a plank, naming them 'scooters'—a term now applied to modern electric vehicles.
Word relationships
- moped: A moped features a step-through frame with pedals and a low-powered engine, whereas a kick scooter features a flat foot deck.
Commonly confused with
- skateboard: A skateboard features four small wheels and no handlebar for upright steering.
Word family
- scoot (verb): To move quickly or push along on a scooter.
- scooting (noun): The act of riding a scooter.
Collocations
- electric scooter
- kick scooter
- ride a scooter
- scooter lane
Example sentences
- "She unlocked a dockless electric scooter using a smartphone app to complete the last mile of her commute." Transit Tech Review
- "He folded his kick scooter and carried it onto the morning commuter train." Micro-Mobility News
Memory hook
SCOOT along quickly on your SCOOTER! Deck, wheels, and handlebar.
When not to use
Do not use for standard bicycles, tricycles, or full-sized motorcycles.
Fun facts
- During WWII, British paratroopers dropped tiny foldable motor scooters called 'Corgis' by parachute behind enemy lines.
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