Meaning & use
vamoose
Last updated
UK/vəˈmuːs/
US/vəˈmuːs/
Meaning
verbintransitiveinformalslangAmerican
To leave somewhere quickly, often before someone objects or arrives.
Grammar: No object; commonly imperative: Vamoose! It does not take a direct object.
Patterns
- Vamoose!
- vamoose before something
- vamoose out of somewhere
Vamoose! The manager is coming back.
We decided to vamoose before the rain turned heavy.
The kids vamoosed out of the kitchen when they heard the bell.
Word forms
| third person singular | vamooses |
|---|---|
| past tense | vamoosed |
| past participle | vamoosed |
| -ing form | vamoosing |
Common combinations
- Vamoose!
- “Vamoose!” she whispered when the guard turned the corner.
- vamoose before trouble
- They chose to vamoose before trouble started.
- vamoose out of the room
- The cat vamoosed out of the room when the vacuum started.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scram
- Very similar slang, often used as an order to leave at once.
- scoot
- Lighter and more polite; suggests moving quickly rather than escaping.
- bolt
- Emphasizes sudden speed or panic, not necessarily a playful command.
Opposites
Practice
Choose the best use.
Choose one answer.
Vamoose is intransitive and often imperative, so “Vamoose before the guests arrive” works. It cannot take “the door,” “her friends,” or “your seat” as an object.
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