scratch

1 of 3

verb

ˈskrach

scratched; scratching; scratches

Synonyms of scratch next

transitive verb

: to scrape or dig with the claws or nails

: to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged

: to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching)

: to act on (a desire)

—used with itch

scratch the itch to travel

: to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort

scratch out a living

: to write or draw on a surface

: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through

: to withdraw (an entry) from competition

: scribble, scrawl

: to scrape along a rough surface

scratch a match

intransitive verb

: to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding

: to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)

: to gather money or make a living by hard work and especially through irregular means and sacrifice

had to scratch and save for college

: to make a thin grating sound

: to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by or as if by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle

: to withdraw from a contest or engagement

: to make a scratch in billiards or pool

scratcher noun

scratch

2 of 3

noun

: a mark or injury produced by scratching

also : a slight wound

: scrawl, scribble

: the sound made by scratching

: the starting line in a race

: a test of courage

: satisfactory condition, level, or performance

not up to scratch

: a contestant whose name is withdrawn

: poultry feed (such as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise

called also scratch feed

: a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn

specifically : a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket

: a shot that scores by chance : fluke

slang : money, funds

scratch

3 of 3

adjective

: arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard

a scratch team

: made as or used for a tentative effort

: made or done by chance and not as intended

a scratch shot

: having no handicap or allowance

a scratch golfer

: made from scratch : made with basic ingredients

a scratch cake

Phrases

scratch one's back

: to accommodate with a favor especially in expectation of like return

scratch one's head

: to be or become confused or perplexed

scratch the surface

: to make a modest effort or start

from scratch

: from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time

build a school system from scratch

: without using a prepared mixture of ingredients

bake a cake from scratch

Did you know?

The phrase up to scratch has its origins in the world of sports. In the 18th century, scratch began to be used for a line or mark that served as the starting point in a contest or competition. In order to begin or continue a fight, for example, a pugilist would "come up to the scratch," positioning himself at a line drawn across the prize ring. Up to the scratch was soon being used figuratively of anyone who was ready and able to do something. Over the years, the usage of the phrase has evolved somewhat, but something that is "up to scratch" can still be said to be ready and able in that it is capable of functioning or performing as expected.

Examples of scratch in a Sentence

Verb Will you scratch my back for me? Scratching the itch only makes it worse. The dog scratched its ear. You shouldn't scratch. It'll just make your itch worse. Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars. Careful, the cat will scratch. The dog was scratching at the door. Be careful not to scratch the table. Someone scratched the paint on my car. The little boy scratched lines in the dirt with a stick. Noun There's a scratch in the paint on the new car! The table is an antique but it doesn't have any dents or scratches. I got a scratch on my leg when I climbed the fence. The only sound in the room during the test was the scratch of pencils on paper. We don't have the scratch to buy a new car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are the stark, speechless paintings from the 1970s of Romany Eveleigh, whose thousands of scratched little O’s turn writing into an unsemantic howl. —

Jason Farago, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024 That just scratches the surface of what’s revealed over the course of seven episodes, and to reveal any more would spoil the experience for those who have yet to see it. —

Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scratch

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scratch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English scracchen, probably blend of scratten to scratch and cracchen to scratch

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of scratch was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

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Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratch. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

scratch

1 of 2 verb

ˈskrach

: to scrape, rub, or injure with or as if with the claws or nails

: to act on (a desire)

—used with itch

scratch the itch to travel

: to make a living by hard work and saving

: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through

: to withdraw (an entry) from competition

: to write or draw especially hastily or carelessly : scrawl

: to scrape or rub oneself lightly especially to relieve itching

: to make a thin harsh sound

this pen scratches

scratcher noun

scratch

2 of 2 noun

: a mark (as a line) or injury made by scratching

also : a slight wound

: the sound of scratching

: the line from which competitors start in a race

: satisfactory state or performance

not up to scratch

Last Updated: 29 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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scratch

verb

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of scratch in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near scratch

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition