scoop

1 of 2

noun

ˈsküp 

1

a

: a large ladle

b

: a deep shovel or similar implement for digging, dipping, or shoveling

c

: a usually hemispherical utensil for dipping food

d

: a small spoon-shaped utensil or instrument for cutting or gouging

2

a

: the action of scooping

b

: the amount contained by a scoop

3

a

: a hollow place : cavity

b

: a part forming or surrounding an opening for channeling a fluid (such as air) into a desired path

4

a

: information especially of immediate interest

b

: beat sense 5b

5

or scoop neck : a rounded and usually low-cut neckline on a woman's garment

scoopful

ˈsküp-ˌfu̇l 

noun

scoop

2 of 2

verb

scooped; scooping; scoops

transitive verb

1

a

: to take out or up with or as if with a scoop : dip

b

: to pick up quickly or surreptitiously with or as if with a sweep of the hand

—often used with up

scoop up the treat

2

: to empty by ladling out the contents

3

: to make hollow : dig out

4

: beat sense 5a(2)

scooped the rival newspaper

scoopable

ˈskü-pə-bəl 

adjective

scooper noun

Synonyms of scoop

Noun

• spoon

Verb

• spoon
• bucket
• dip

Examples of scoop in a Sentence

Noun

a backhoe with a large scoop

The story turned out to be the political scoop of the year.

She always knows the scoop.

Here's the scoop on how to clean leather.

Verb

She has a job scooping ice cream.

He scooped flour into the bowl.

A backhoe was scooping dirt from the hole.

The children scooped handfuls of marbles from the pile.

He scooped the dice off the table and rolled again.

Scoop a hole in the dough for the filling.

The city's biggest newspaper got scooped by a weekly paper that released the story a full day before.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Traditionally flavored with cinnamon and sometimes a hint of nutmeg, apple pie is often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Pour ⅓ or 1/2-cup scoops of batter on the cooking surface. —CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Verb

Spoon rolls date back to the early 1900s on railroad cars because even in the cramped train kitchens, they could be scooped and baked without rising, rolling, or cutting. —Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025

My sister held her arms straight for hours as the doctors drained blood from one, scooped out and froze her stem cells, and pumped the blood back in the other. —Tatiana Schlossberg, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scope, from Middle Dutch schope; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape — more at shape

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scoop

• scoop neck
• scoop up
• the inside scoop
• the scoop

Rhymes for scoop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop

Kids Definition

scoop

1 of 2 noun

ˈsküp 

1

a

: a large shovel (as for shoveling coal)

b

: a tool or utensil shaped like a shovel for digging into a soft substance and lifting out a portion

c

: a round utensil with a handle for dipping out soft food (as ice cream)

d

: a small tool for cutting or gouging

2

: an act or the action of scooping : a motion made with or as if with a scoop

3

a

: the amount held by a scoop

a scoop of ice cream

b

: a hole made by scooping

4

a

: information of immediate interest

what's the scoop

b

: the reporting of a news story ahead of competitors

scoopful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

scoop

2 of 2 verb

1

: to take out or up with or as if with a scoop

2

: to make hollow

3

: to report a news story ahead of

scooper noun

Medical Definition

scoop

noun

ˈsküp 

: a spoon-shaped surgical instrument used in extracting various materials (as pus or foreign bodies)