scout

To search for skilled people who could join a team or work for an organization.

• The coach scouts young players.
• She was scouted at a school football match.
• They travel around the country scouting for new talent.

How to use it: scout for someone/something (The club is scouting for young players.)

Similar words: headhunt, seek out

Common phrases: scout for talent, scout young players, scout new talent

To look around or watch a place to find useful information.

• Go and scout the area.
• The soldiers scouted the enemy camp before dawn.
• We are scouting for a safe place to stop.

How to use it: scout for something (They scouted for suitable filming locations.)

Similar words: inspect, reconnoitre

Common phrases: scout the area, scout enemy positions, scout ahead, scout for something

To move around a large area and explore it carefully, as though searching for something.

• We scouted the nearby woods.
• They spent two days scouting the mountain terrain.
• Have you scouted the fields beyond the river?

How to use it: scout around something (We spent the morning scouting around the valley.)

Similar words: explore, survey

Common phrases: scout the terrain, scout the hills, scout around something

To reject an idea or offer because you think it deserves no respect.

• He scouted the proposal as foolish.
• She scouted his apology and turned away.
• They had scouted every suggestion of a compromise.

Similar words: reject, dismiss, scorn

Opposites: accept, welcome

Common phrases: scout an idea, scout a proposal, scout an apology

A person sent ahead to find out about an area or an enemy and report back.

• They sent a scout ahead.
• The scout returned with news of the enemy.
• Two scouts checked the road before the soldiers advanced.

Common phrases: send a scout, army scout, enemy scout, scout report