scrape

verb \ ˈskrāp \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of scrape

scraped; scraping

transitive verb

1 a : to remove from a surface by usually repeated strokes of an edged instrument

b : to make (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged instrument or an abrasive

2 a : to grate harshly over or against

b : to damage or injure the surface of by contact with a rough surface

c : to draw roughly or noisily over a surface

3 : to collect by or as if by scraping —often used with up or together

scrape up the price of a ticket

intransitive verb

1 : to move in sliding contact with a rough surface

2 : to accumulate money by small economies

3 : to draw back the foot along the ground in making a bow

4 : to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed

just scraped through at school

working two jobs and barely scraping by

—

scraper

noun

See scrape defined for English-language learners

See scrape defined for kids

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

Someone had scraped the car with a key.
I scraped one of the chairs while bringing it up the stairs.
I scraped my knee when I fell.
fingernails scraping against a blackboard
the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as people stood to leave
The boat scraped against the edge of the dock.
She scraped her fingernails across the blackboard.
The deer scraped its antlers against the tree.
Scrape the seeds into a bowl.
Scrape the paint from the wood.

Recent Examples of scrape from the Web

Mix the eggs in, one at a time, and scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "The only mashed potatoes recipe you'll ever need," 10 Apr. 2018
Facebook will also tell users if they were affected by the Cambridge Analytica data scrape specifically.

— aja romano, Vox, "Facebook warns “most users” have had their data harvested by third-party apps," 5 Apr. 2018
One test: scrape a bit of bark and look for green underneath, a sign of life.

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Can lesser celandine be mulched away?," 5 Apr. 2018
The back-to-backer might be enough to not scrape past the Mavericks.

— david whitley, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Magic meltdown defies NBA gods," 3 Apr. 2018
Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor, cover and set aside.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "He never gets tired of the Hot Brown, but chef at The Brown Hotel is always looking ahead," 20 Mar. 2018
Just like when Sean Spicer was replaced by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump always manages to find a new bottom of the barrel to scrape when looking for underlings.

— luke darby, GQ, "Rex Tillerson Finally Lost His Secretary of State Job, Weirdly After Criticizing Russia," 13 Mar. 2018
Although the hosts were made to play the final half an hour of the game with 10 men when Christopher Schindler was shown a second yellow card, Huddersfield were able to hang on and scrape over the line with a well fought 1-0 win.

— SI.com, "West Brom vs Huddersfield Town Preview: Classic Encounter, Recent Form, Team News & More," 23 Feb. 2018
First, use a utility knife and a putty knife to cut and scrape away the old caulk.

— brett martin, Popular Mechanics, "8 Home Repairs You Should Never Put Off," 12 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrape.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scrape

Middle English, from Old Norse skrapa; akin to Old English scrapian to scrape, Latin scrobis ditch, Russian skresti to scrape

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

scrape Synonyms

scrape

noun

Definition of scrape

1 a : the act or process of scraping

b : a sound made by scraping

c : a mark or injury caused by scraping : abrasion

bumps and scrapes

2 a : the nest of a bird consisting of a usually shallow depression in the ground

b : a cleared area on the forest floor made by a male deer during breeding season to attract a doe

3 : a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground

4 a : a distressing encounter

a scrape with death

b : altercation, fight

See scrape defined for English-language learners

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

There's a scrape on the fender that wasn't there yesterday.
I got a scrape on my knee when I fell.
We survived the accident with a few minor bumps and scrapes.
She got into a few scrapes with the police when she was younger.
the scrape of fingernails on a blackboard

Recent Examples of scrape from the Web

The two scrape by on paltry pension checks, which are a trial for the old woman to cash on hobbling excursions to the bank.

— barbara vandenburgh, azcentral, "Michelle Pfeiffer as you've never seen her in ‘Where Is Kyra?’," 12 Apr. 2018
The data scrape wasn’t Feinstein’s only issue with Facebook.

— joe garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, "Feinstein to Facebook: ‘Fix it’ before the feds do it for you," 2 Apr. 2018
After denying scrapes, Bibby (without shame) asks for Al’s help with loading lumber into his truck.

— lauren alvarez, Billboard, "'Atlanta' Episode 5 Recap: Paper Boi's Absurd Adventures With His Barber," 30 Mar. 2018
Chop into quarters 2 onions, scrape and cut in half 4 carrots, clean 4 to 6 ribs of celery, and place all vegetables in the bottom of a roasting pan.

— nancy stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Time to tailgate: Spruce up your opening day with regional favorites," 29 Mar. 2018
As Hanyu began to perform to Chopin, the crowd grew so quiet that the scrape of his blades could be heard in the upper reaches of Megasport Arena.

— jerÉ longman, New York Times, "The Greatest Figure Skater Ever Is Michael Jackson on Ice, Surrounded by Winnie the Poohs," 4 Jan. 2018
After Ethier yanked his arm away, the deputy forced him to the ground, causing a scrape on Ethier’s arm, authorities said.

— michael williams, OrlandoSentinel.com, "YouTube star claimed to be 'very powerful,' threatened lawsuit during Disney arrest, deputies say," 27 Mar. 2018
The elder Busch, who never worked for Anheuser-Busch, has had other scrapes with the law.

— Fox News, "Anheuser-Busch heir accused of assault at son's practice," 26 Mar. 2018
At the hospital, doctors noted that Calvert had bruises, scrapes and cuts on her thighs and vaginal area.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "Woman who falsely reported rape on OP trail made similar KC claim, police say | The Kansas City Star," 21 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of scrape

15th century

scrape Synonyms

Synonyms

brush, encounter, hassle, run-in, skirmish;

battle, brawl, fray, wrangle;

SCRAPE Defined for English Language Learners

scrape

verb

Definition of scrape for English Language Learners

: to damage (the surface of something) or hurt (a part of your body) by rubbing something rough or sharp against it or by making it rub against something rough or sharp
: to rub or cause (something) to rub against a hard surface and make a harsh and usually unpleasant sound
: to remove (something) from a surface by rubbing an object or tool against it

scrape

noun

Definition of scrape for English Language Learners

: a mark or injury that is caused by something rubbing against something else
: a bad, dangerous, or unpleasant situation
: a harsh and usually unpleasant sound that is made when something rubs against a hard surface

SCRAPE Defined for Kids

scrape

verb \ ˈskrāp \

Definition of scrape for Students

scraped; scraping

1 : to remove by repeated strokes with something sharp or rough

He scraped a patch of crust off with his fingernail.
—Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee

2 : to clean or smooth by rubbing

I scraped the windshield to clear off the ice.

3 : to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise

The boat's keel scraped the stony bottom.

4 : to hurt or roughen by dragging against a rough surface

I scraped my knee on the pavement.

5 : to get with difficulty and a little at a time

I'm trying to scrape up money.

scrape

noun

Definition of scrape for Students

1 : a sound, mark, or injury made by something being dragged or rubbed against something else

2 : a difficult or unpleasant situation

3 : the act of scraping

Learn More about scrape

See words that rhyme with scrape Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scrape Spanish Central: Translation of scrape Nglish: Translation of scrape for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scrape for Arabic speakers

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scrape

Definition of scrape

scraper

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of scrape

scrape Synonyms

Synonyms

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scrape

Definition of scrape

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scrape from the Web

First Known Use of scrape

scrape Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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SCRAPE Defined for English Language Learners

scrape

Definition of scrape for English Language Learners

scrape

Definition of scrape for English Language Learners

SCRAPE Defined for Kids

scrape

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scrape

Definition of scrape for Students

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