Scotch

1 of 7

adjective

1
2
: inclined to frugality

Scotch

2 of 7

noun (1)

1
: scots
2
plural in construction : the people of Scotland
3
often not capitalized : whiskey distilled in Scotland especially from malted barley

called also Scotch whisky

Scotch

3 of 7

trademark

used for adhesive tape

scotch

4 of 7

verb (1)

scotched; scotching; scotches

transitive verb

1
archaic : cut, gash, score
also : wound
we have scotched the snake, not killed it William Shakespeare
2
: to put an end to
scotched rumors of a military takeover

scotch

5 of 7

noun (2)

: a superficial cut : score

scotch

6 of 7

noun (3)

: a chock to prevent rolling or slipping

scotch

7 of 7

verb (2)

scotched; scotching; scotches

transitive verb

1
: to block with a chock
2

Examples of Scotch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In other words, the distilleries behind the whiskies might be familiar and beloved names to scotch whisky fans, but the releases in the collection are unique expressions that have never been done before and feature special artwork and labels, making the bottles true collector’s items. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2024 The scheme was scotched during Boris Johnson’s time as London mayor. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
Rum is its own unique category, of course, but the fact is that there are some well-aged, exceptional expressions available that just speak to fans of bourbon and scotch who might not have given this particular brown spirits category a chance before. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024 This year, skip the small-batch scotch or whisky; something feels right, right now, about cordials and liqueurs—high-alcohol spirits that are sweetened with fruit, and sometimes splashed with vinegar or spice. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Scotch 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

contraction of Scottish

Verb (1)

Middle English scocchen to gash, from Anglo-French escocher, eschocher to pierce

Noun (3)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1639, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Scotch was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Scotch

Cite this Entry

“Scotch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Scotch. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

scotch

1 of 3 verb
ˈskäch
1
archaic : to injure so as to make temporarily harmless
2
: to stamp out : crush
especially : to put an end to by showing the untruth of
scotch a rumor

Scotch

2 of 3 adjective

Scotch

3 of 3 noun
1
: scots
2
Scotch plural : the people of Scotland
3
often not capitalized : whiskey made in Scotland especially from barley
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