scratch
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1scratch
verb \ˈskrach\Definition of SCRATCH
transitive verb
1
: to scrape or dig with the claws or nails
2
: to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged
3
a : to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching) b : to act on (a desire) —used with itch <scratch the itch to travel>
4
: to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort <scratch out a living>
5
: to write or draw on a surface
6
a : to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through b : to withdraw (an entry) from competition
8
: to scrape along a rough surface <scratch a match>
intransitive verb
1
: to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding
2
: to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)
3
: to gather money or make a living by hard work and especially through irregular means and sacrifice <had to scratch and save for college>
4
a : to make a thin grating sound b : to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle
5
: to withdraw from a contest or engagement
6
: to make a scratch in billiards or pool
— scratch·er noun
— 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
See Examples of SCRATCH
- 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.
Origin of SCRATCH
Middle English scracchen, probably blend of scratten to scratch and cracchen to scratch
First Known Use: 15th century
2scratch
nounDefinition of SCRATCH
1
: a mark or injury produced by scratching; also : a slight wound
3
: the sound made by scratching
4
: the starting line in a race
5
a : a test of courage b : satisfactory condition, level, or performance <not up to scratch>
6
: a contestant whose name is withdrawn
7
: poultry feed (as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise —called also scratch feed
8
a : 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 b : a shot that scores by chance : fluke
9
— from scratch
1
: from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time <build a school system from scratch>
2
: without using a prepared mixture of ingredients
<bake a cake from scratch>
Examples of SCRATCH
- 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.
First Known Use of SCRATCH
circa 1586
3scratch
adjectiveDefinition of SCRATCH
1
: arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard <a scratch team>
2
: made as or used for a tentative effort
3
: made or done by chance and not as intended <a scratch shot>
4
: having no handicap or allowance <a scratch golfer>
5
: made from scratch : made with basic ingredients <a scratch cake>
First Known Use of SCRATCH
1851
Learn More About SCRATCH
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: scratchable
Previous Word in the Dictionary: scrat (noun)
All Words Near: scratch
Previous Word in the Dictionary: scrat (noun)
All Words Near: scratch
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up scratch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
