escapade

noun

es·​ca·​pade ˈe-skə-ˌpād 

: a usually adventurous action that runs counter to approved or conventional conduct

Did you know?

When it was first used in English, escapade referred to an act of escaping or fleeing from confinement or restraint. The relationship between escape and escapade does not end there. Both words derive from the Vulgar Latin verb excappare, meaning "to escape," a product of the Latin prefix ex- and the Late Latin noun cappa, meaning "head covering or cloak." While escape took its route through Anglo-French and Middle English, however, escapade made its way into English by way of the Spanish escapar ("to escape") and the French escapade.

Synonyms

• antic
• caper
• capriccio
• dido
• frolic
• gag
• jest
• knavery
• monkeyshine(s)
• practical joke
• prank
• rag [chiefly British]
• roguery
• shavie [Scottish]
• shine(s)
• trick
• waggery

Examples of escapade in a Sentence

As a teenager he embarked on a series of ill-advised escapades.

their escapades at the prep school became the stuff of boarding-school legend

Recent Examples on the Web

The new series continues to follow the escapades of The Nublar Six who are now young adults having escaped the confines of Isla Nublar where the prehistoric beasts roam. —Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Qurbani’s favorite story followed the escapades of a space cowboy, who could fly anywhere in the universe and go on adventures in vast uncharted galaxies. —Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

Expect to feel both confident and emotionally validated, whether through creative pursuits or romantic escapades. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024

Jackson, the author of two other books that follow Pip’s escapades, serves as EP of the adaptation of her novel with showrunner Poppy Cogan, who adapted it for television. —Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, action of escaping, from Spanish escapada, from escapar to escape, from Vulgar Latin *excappare

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

escapade

noun

es·​ca·​pade ˈes-kə-ˌpād 

: a mischievous adventure