scrounge

verb

ˈskrau̇nj 

scrounged; scrounging

transitive verb

1

: steal, swipe

2

a

: to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing

scrounging enough money for a bus ticket

b

: finagle, wheedle

—often used with up

intransitive verb

: to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available

also : to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source

scrounger noun

Synonyms of scrounge

• earn

Examples of scrounge in a Sentence

I managed to scrounge enough money for a bus ticket.

He's always scrounging off his friends instead of paying for things himself.

We scrounged around for firewood.

We managed to scrounge some firewood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Enough though Willis has only started six NFL games, and threw all of 35 passes last season (and 155 in his NFL career), the offer Miami scrounged up enough cap space to make is a reflection of Ross’ commitment transforming this franchise, and spending whatever that takes. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

Some retailers began pulling out all the stops just to scrounge up some pennies. —CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

These cakes are bound to scrounge up some serious secret admirers—and not-so-secret ones too! —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026

Exceedingly urgent pitches have flooded small-business owners' inboxes since the middle of last year, when many of them scrounged for money to pay unexpected tariff bills. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect scrunge to wander about idly

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for scrounge

• lounge

Kids Definition

scrounge

verb

ˈskrau̇nj 

scrounged; scrounging

1

: to collect by or as if by rummaging

scrounge around for firewood

2

: to get by coaxing or persuading

scrounge a dollar from a friend

scrounger noun