skitter

UK: /ˈskɪtə/ US: /ˈskɪtɚ/ ,(skit′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

skit•ter /ˈskɪtɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to go, run, or glide lightly or rapidly:
   Mice skittered along the floor.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

skit•ter  (skit′ər), v.i. 

1. to go, run, or glide lightly or rapidly.
2. to skim along a surface.
3. [Angling.] to draw a lure or a baited hook over the water with a skipping motion.

v.t. 

4. to cause to skitter.

• skit, variant of skite¹ + -er⁶ 1835–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

skitter / ˈskɪtə/ verb

1. (intransitive) often followed by off: to move or run rapidly or lightly; scamper
2. to skim or cause to skim lightly and rapidly, as across the surface of water
3. (intransitive) to draw a bait lightly over the surface of water

Etymology: 19th Century: probably from dialect skite to dash about; related to Old Norse skjōta to shoot