What does scamped mean?
Scamped is an informal word for work that has been completed badly, carelessly, or without proper attention. As an adjective, it can describe a job, piece of work, or result: “the painting was scamped” implies that it was poorly executed rather than simply that its subject was unappealing. As a verb, scamped describes someone doing a task badly: “they scamped the repair,” for example. The term is chiefly associated with British English, though it is understood in American English as well. Its force is usually disapproving but not theatrical: it condemns shoddy workmanship, hurried effort, or a failure to finish something properly, without necessarily alleging fraud or deliberate sabotage. Scamped is especially useful when the outcome exists but the quality of its making is poor. The related verb scamp has long meant to do a piece of work in a hasty or imperfect manner, and the word belongs to an English family connected with scamper. In modern use, scamped remains an everyday criticism rather than formal vocabulary, but it captures the distinction between doing something and doing it adequately.
Done badly, carelessly, or without proper attention.
"The scamped repair left the roof leaking."
Chiefly British and informal; it is normally disapproving.
To perform a task or piece of work badly or carelessly.
"He scamped the job and missed the deadline."
Usually takes a task, job, or piece of work as its object.
A scamped job is finished, technically—but that may be the problem.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scamped come from?
Scamped derives from the older English verb scamp, meaning to do work in a hasty or imperfect manner. This word family is etymologically associated with scamper, which came through Italian from a Latin formation based on campare, “to get out of the way.” The modern adjective use continues the older verb's sense of work performed badly or carelessly.
Related word forms
How scamped is actually used
Informal and chiefly British, though understood in American English. It is usually disapproving and condemns poor execution or an inadequate result rather than necessarily implying deliberate deception or sabotage.
Easily confused with scamped
Scamped means to perform work badly or carelessly, whereas to scamper means to move or run quickly and playfully.