harum-scarum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a reckless impetuous irresponsible person
    swashbuckler; lunatic; madcap; daredevil; hothead.
  2. adjective satellite cheerfully irresponsible
    slaphappy; carefree; happy-go-lucky; devil-may-care; freewheeling.
    • carefree with his money
    • freewheeling urban youths
    • had a harum-scarum youth
  3. adverb in a wild or reckless manner
    pell-mell.
    • dashing harum-scarum all over the place
    • running pell-mell up the stairs

WordNet

Har"um-scar"um adjective
Etymology
Cf. hare,v. t., and scare, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Wild; giddy; flighty; rash; thoughtless. Colloq.
    They had a quarrel with Sir Thomas Newcome's own son, a harum-scarum lad. Thackeray.

Webster 1913