scratch

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

7

: scribble, scrawl

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

Examples of SCRATCH

1. Will you scratch my back for me?
2. Scratching the itch only makes it worse.
3. The dog scratched its ear.
4. You shouldn't scratch. It'll just make your itch worse.
5. Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars.
6. Careful, the cat will scratch.
7. The dog was scratching at the door.
8. Be careful not to scratch the table.
9. Someone scratched the paint on my car.
10. 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

Related to SCRATCH

Synonyms: abrade, graze, scrape, scuff

Related Words: bark, skin; chafe, fret, gall; claw, cut, lacerate; bruise, contuse

Near Antonyms: polish, smooth, soften, wax

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SCRATCH

bach, batch, catch, cratch, hatch, klatch, latch, match, natch, patch, snatch, thatch