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

Without Medicaid coverage, Noon paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket for prescriptions, after scrounging for discount coupons. — Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026

That’s why ticket prices for the match are creeping ever higher, and why fans are scrounging about for funds to get them in the building. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 13 July 2026

That leaves the existing LCCs to scrounge around for airports that aren’t as coveted by the big airlines. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 20 June 2026

Drake’s team usually scrounged up the clues that later exonerated Mason’s clients. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 16 June 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