scrounge

1 of 2

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

scrounger

2 of 2

noun

scroung·​er

-jə(r)

plural -s

: one that scrounges

Synonyms of scrounge

Verb

• earn

Examples of scrounge in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Instead, McGrath says, she has been sentenced to a decade of scrounging for work that doesn't require a background check. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Still, despite the major investment, districts across the state have continued to struggle to scrounge up the funds to repair or replace their buildings. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of English dialect scrunge to wander about idly

First Known Use

Verb

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