hopscotch

1 of 2

noun

hop·​scotch ˈhäp-ˌskäch How to pronounce hopscotch (audio)
: a child's game in which a player tosses an object (such as a stone) into areas of a figure outlined on the ground and hops through the figure and back to regain the object

hopscotch

2 of 2

verb

hopscotched; hopscotching; hopscotches

intransitive verb

: to move as if by hopping
hopscotched across Europe

Examples of hopscotch in a Sentence

Verb The tour hopscotched from city to city. We hopscotched across the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Beams of light from the old-fashioned lampposts hopscotch along the streets that make up the small forgettable town. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025 The hopscotch squares and sensory boards in the hallways are intended to help children transition from room to room. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Lay each hoop on the ground in a pattern your child can hopscotch through. — Catherine Holecko, Parents, 16 July 2024 His career was so long and so varied that there’s no efficient way to hopscotch through it. — Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 10 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hopscotch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

hop entry 1 + scotch entry 2 (line, score)

First Known Use

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hopscotch was in 1801

Rhymes for hopscotch

See All Rhymes for hopscotch

Browse Nearby Words

hopsage
hopscotch
hopseed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hopscotch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopscotch. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hopscotch

noun
hop·​scotch
ˈhäp-ˌskäch
: a child's game in which a player hops through a figure drawn on the ground

More from Merriam-Webster on hopscotch

Nglish: Translation of hopscotch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hopscotch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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