Reading Theme:
Scout Definition, Usage & Common Phrases (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：look around for (scout)
scout
/skaʊt/
n./v.
To look around a place or area to find something you want, like a good location, a new house, or talented people.
look around for
➕
/lʊk əˈraʊnd fɔːr/
n./v.
To examine or explore an area in order to find or discover something, such as a suitable location or potential candidates.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Old French 'escouter' (to listen), from Latin 'auscultare' (to listen), meaning a listener or observer.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a scout as someone who scouts out new places or opportunities.
📖 Example
Before moving to a new city, we spent a weekend there to scout for nice neighborhoods and good schools.
We spent a weekend in a new city searching for nice neighborhoods and good schools before relocating there.
🔗 Collocations
scout out – to find or discover by searching
scout for – to search in order to find
scout around – to look around in various places
🔄 Synonyms
search (v.) – to look carefully to find something
explore (v.) – to travel over or through an area to learn about it
investigate (v.) – to carry out a systematic inquiry
🌱 Derivatives
scouting (n.) – the activity of searching or exploring
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from military reconnaissance, 'scout' now commonly refers to members of the Scouts, founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 to teach outdoor skills and community service.
Meaning 2：military reconnaissance agent (scout)
scout
/skaʊt/
n./v.
A person, especially a soldier, who is sent ahead of the main group to gather information about the enemy or the area.
military reconnaissance agent
➕
/ˈmɪlɪtəri rɪˈkɒnɪsəns ˈeɪdʒənt/
n./v.
A person, typically a soldier, who is sent ahead of the main force to gather information about the enemy or terrain.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the strategy game, I always send a fast scout unit ahead to reveal the enemy's base location.
In strategy games, I often deploy a fast reconnaissance unit first to uncover the enemy's base position.
🔗 Collocations
army scout – a soldier employed for reconnaissance
advance scout – a scout sent ahead of the main group
scout patrol – a small group sent to scout an area
🔄 Synonyms
reconnaissance (n.) – military observation of a region to locate an enemy
spy (n.) – a person who secretly collects information
observer (n.) – one who watches and notes phenomena
🚫 Antonyms
main force (n.) – the primary group of troops in battle
Meaning 3：member of Scout association (scout)
scout
/skaʊt/
n./v.
A member of the Scouts, an international organization where young people learn outdoor skills, teamwork, and helping the community.
member of Scout association
➕
/ˈmembər əv skaʊt əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
n./v.
A participant in the Scouts, a worldwide youth movement that teaches outdoor skills, leadership, and community service.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
As a Scout, she learned how to set up a tent, read a map, and cook over a campfire.
While being a Scout, she acquired skills in tent pitching, map reading, and campfire cooking.
🔗 Collocations
Boy Scout – a male member of the Scout organization
Girl Scout – a female member of the Scout organization
Scout troop – a local group of Scouts
🔄 Synonyms
scouter (n.) – a member or leader in the Scouts
youth member (n.) – a young participant in an organization
🌱 Derivatives
scouting (n.) – the activities and principles of the Scout organization
Wordbook
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