Definition

To move by making a series of jumps, often in a playful or irregular manner.

Example

The children were hopscotching around the playground, laughing and having fun.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how the kids were hopscotching in the park today?

Yeah, it looked like they were having so much fun!

I remember playing hopscotch all the time when we were younger.

Same here! It was the best way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A game played by children where they throw an object onto a drawn pattern on the ground and then jump through the pattern to retrieve the object.

Example

The children played hopscotch in the park during recess.

Conversation

Do you remember how to play hopscotch?

Of course! We used to play it all the time as kids.

Yeah, I loved drawing the squares on the pavement.

Root Explanation

Hopscotch → The word is formed from "hop" (from Middle English *hoppen*, meaning to leap or jump) and "scotch" (from Old French *escoche*, meaning a scratch or mark). The game involves jumping or hopping on a marked pattern on the ground, hence the combination of these actions in the name.

Memory Tip

Imagine jumping ('hop') on a marked pattern ('scotch') on the ground — that's how you remember that hopscotch is a game of jumping on marks.

Visually Confused Words