First Known Use: 1593
Dictionary
1helter–skelter
adverb hel·ter–skel·ter \ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər\
: in a confused and careless way
: in no particular order
Full Definition of HELTER-SKELTER
1
: in undue haste, confusion, or disorder <ran helter–skelter, getting in each other's way — F. V. W. Mason>
2
: in a haphazard manner
See helter–skelter defined for English-language learners
See helter-skelter defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HELTER-SKELTER
perhaps from Middle English skelten to come, go
Related to HELTER-SKELTER
- Synonyms
- amok (or amuck), berserk, berserkly, frantically, frenetically, frenziedly, harum-scarum, hectically, madly, pell-mell, wild, wildly
- Antonyms
- methodically, systematically
2helter–skelter
noun
: a slide that twists around a tower at an amusement park
Full Definition of HELTER-SKELTER
1
: a disorderly confusion : turmoil
2
British : a spiral slide around a tower at an amusement park
See helter–skelter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HELTER-SKELTER
1713
Related to HELTER-SKELTER
- Synonyms
- ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, bother, bustle, clatter, clutter [chiefly dialect], coil, corroboree [Australian], disturbance, do [chiefly dialect], foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry (or hurry-skurry), kerfuffle [chiefly British], moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore [Scottish], squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tumult, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo
3helter–skelter
adjective
Definition of HELTER-SKELTER
1
: confusedly hurried : precipitate
2
: marked by a lack of order or plan : haphazard <the helter–skelter arrangement of the papers, all mussed and frayed — Jean Stafford>
First Known Use of HELTER-SKELTER
1708
Related to HELTER-SKELTER
- Synonyms
- cursory, drive-by, flying, gadarene, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell, precipitate, precipitous, rash, rushed
- Antonyms
- deliberate, unhurried, unrushed
HELTER-SKELTER[1] Defined for Kids
helter–skelter
adverb hel·ter–skel·ter \ˌhel-tər-ˈskel-tər\
Definition of HELTER-SKELTER for Kids
1
: in a confused and reckless manner <Children raced helter-skelter through the house.>
2
: in great disorder <Toys were thrown helter-skelter around the room.>
Learn More About HELTER-SKELTER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: helvePrevious Word in the Dictionary: Hel–shoesAll Words Near: helter-skelter
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up helter-skelter? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).