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

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

called also scoop neck

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

Noun

• spoon

Verb

• spoon
• bucket

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

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon, scoop dough evenly onto prepared baking sheets at least 1-inch apart. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025

Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

Craig Silverman and Alexios Mantzarlis, two other internet sleuths who’ve covered similar issues, launched their own independent outlet, Indicator, earlier this year, as Semafor scooped. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Children can still take part by scooping out the insides with a spoon or drawing a design on the pumpkin for an adult to carve. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 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 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)