scraped; scraping
1
a
: to remove from a surface by usually repeated strokes of an edged instrument
b
: to make (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged instrument or an abrasive
2
a
: to grate harshly over or against
b
: to damage or injure the surface of by contact with a rough surface
c
: to draw roughly or noisily over a surface
3
: to collect by or as if by scraping
—often used with up or together
scrape up the price of a ticket
1
: to move in sliding contact with a rough surface
2
: to accumulate money by small economies
3
: to draw back the foot along the ground in making a bow
4
: to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed
just scraped through at school
working two jobs and barely scraping by
scraper
noun
1
2
a
: the nest of a bird consisting of a usually shallow depression in the ground
b
: a cleared area on the forest floor made by a male deer during breeding season to attract a doe
3
: a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground
4
a
: a distressing encounter
a scrape with death
b
: altercation, fight
scrap·er
ˈskrāpə(r)
plural -s
1
a
: an edged blade fixed upright near an entrance for scraping mud off shoes
b
: any of various instruments or tools used especially in different trades for scraping metal, wood, leather for producing a clean or a smooth finished surface, for cutting grooves, or for shaping objects by scraping away superfluous material
c
: any of various appliances for removing an extraneous coating or layer from something: such as
(1)
: a broad hoe for cleaning roads or stables
(2)
: a device for scraping up snow from ice
(3)
: a hoe-shaped implement for raking out ashes
d
: a device armed with curved knives and forced through a pipeline or a flue to clear out obstructions
e
: a curved wooden or metal device for removing the sweat from horses
f
: a 3-sided tool used by engravers to remove lines or burrs
g
: a board or blade whose edge rubs over a tympan sheet to make an impression in an old type of lithographic printing press
h
i
: a metal scoop with a bail to which motive power is attached for excavating or moving loose or soft material short distances
j
: a contrivance for cleaning out the detritus from a borehole
k
: a power-drawn wheeled self-loading conveyor used to move earth in grading and filling operations
l
: a kitchen tool made of a blade of hard rubber on a wood handle and used to scrape food from dishes or remove batter from mixing bowls
2
3
: a bird that scratches the soil
4
slang
: cocked hat
5
: a roughened area on the legs or wings of an insect used in producing sounds
Examples of scrape in a Sentence
Verb
Someone had scraped the car with a key.
I scraped one of the chairs while bringing it up the stairs.
I scraped my knee when I fell.
fingernails scraping against a blackboard
the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as people stood to leave
The boat scraped against the edge of the dock.
She scraped her fingernails across the blackboard.
The deer scraped its antlers against the tree.
Scrape the seeds into a bowl.
Scrape the paint from the wood.
Noun (1)
There's a scrape on the fender that wasn't there yesterday.
I got a scrape on my knee when I fell.
We survived the accident with a few minor bumps and scrapes.
She got into a few scrapes with the police when she was younger.
the scrape of fingernails on a blackboard
Recent Examples on the Web
Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
However, some higher-end models have built-in food-waste disposals, and pre-rinsing is not as efficient as scraping for modern dishwashers.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
New York Times, 9 June 2026
Her presence is heralded not by the sounds of howls, roars or clanking chains, but by the shutting of the door to her study, the scrape of her chair as it is pulled towards her desk, and the clanking of her type-writer keys.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrape
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Despite the herculean efforts of Nowell, original members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, and producer Jon Joseph, listening to Until the Sun Explodes feels like scraping up the resin left behind by OG Sublime in the hopes of getting high.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
However, some higher-end models have built-in food-waste disposals, and pre-rinsing is not as efficient as scraping for modern dishwashers.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Noun
Delivery trucks, garbage workers, taxi drivers and honking motorists squeeze by parked cars on narrow side streets, sometimes ripping off side view mirrors or leaving scrapes on bumpers.
—New York Times, 9 June 2026
Her presence is heralded not by the sounds of howls, roars or clanking chains, but by the shutting of the door to her study, the scrape of her chair as it is pulled towards her desk, and the clanking of her type-writer keys.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scrape
Cite this Entry
“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrape. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrape
1 of 2 verb
scraped; scraping
1
a
: to remove by repeated strokes of an edged tool
scrape off rust
b
: to clean or smooth by rubbing
2
a
: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise
b
: to damage or injure by dragging or rubbing against a rough surface
scraped his knee on the pavement
3
a
: to gather with difficulty and little by little
scrape together a few dollars
b
: to barely get by
scraped through with low grades
scraper
noun
scrape
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act or process of scraping
b
: a sound, mark, or injury made by scraping
2
: a bow made with a pulling back of the foot
3
a
: a disagreeable situation
b
: altercation, fight
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