scum

¹scum

noun \ˈskəm\

Definition of SCUM

1

a : extraneous matter or impurities risen to or formed on the surface of a liquid often as a foul filmy covering — compare pond scum 2

b : the scoria of metals in a molten state : dross

c : a slimy film on a solid or gelatinous object

2

a : refuse

b : a low, vile, or worthless person or group of people

— scum·my \ˈskə-mē\ adjective

Examples of SCUM

1. Boil the chicken and use a spoon to remove any scum that floats to the surface.
2. <claimed that only scum lived in that part of town>

Origin of SCUM

Middle English, from Middle Dutch schum; akin to Old High German scūm foam

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SCUM

Synonyms

proletariat, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, riffraff, rout, rabble, tag, rag, and bobtail (or tagrag and bobtail), trash, unwashed

Antonyms

A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class, upper crust

Related Words

dregs; commoners, commons, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, people, plebeians, populace, public, rank and file; bourgeoisie, middle class, working class

Near Antonyms

elect, establishment; gentlefolk (also gentlefolks), nobility, peerage

Rhymes with SCUM

bum, chum, come, crumb, cum, drum, dumb, from, glum, gum, hum, lum, mum, numb, plum, plumb, rum, scrum, slum, some, strum, sum, them, thrum, thumb

²scum

intransitive verb

scummedscum·ming

Definition of SCUM

: to become covered with or as if with scum

First Known Use of SCUM

1661