adj · adv · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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US:/ˌhɛəɹəmˈskɛəɹəm/
1
adj
Meaning 1
wild, careless, irresponsible
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
1832, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Eugene Aram Lester's good heart will be to hear that little Peter is so improved;--no longer a dissolute, harum-scarum fellow, throwing away his money, and always in debt.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
wildly, carelessly, irresponsibly
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
1800, Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent [...] for he never looked after anything at all, but harum-scarum called for everything as if we were conjurors, or he in a public-house.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A giddy, rash person.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century. Compare English willy-nilly of the same meaning.
Across languages
Translations
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.