scraped; scraping
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
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
1
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
Examples of scrape in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
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 on the Web
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Meanwhile, emerging managers are scraping to survive and define their edge.
—Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
Pink scrape marks blossomed above and below his right eye.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrape
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
Beat eggs, sugar, espresso granules, and vanilla with a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on high speed until thick and fluffy, 8 to 10 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Meanwhile, emerging managers are scraping to survive and define their edge.
—Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
There will be a few fewer bumps and bruises, fewer scrapes with injury, players’ health and energy preserved for the duration of the league’s longer, compact schedule.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
Pink scrape marks blossomed above and below his right eye.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrape
Cite this Entry
“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrape. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrape
1 of 2 verb
scraped; scraping
1
a
: to remove by repeated strokes of an edged tool
scrape off rust
b
: to clean or smooth by rubbing
2
a
: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise
b
: to damage or injure by dragging or rubbing against a rough surface
scraped his knee on the pavement
3
a
: to gather with difficulty and little by little
scrape together a few dollars
b
: to barely get by
scraped through with low grades
scraper
noun
scrape
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act or process of scraping
b
: a sound, mark, or injury made by scraping
2
: a bow made with a pulling back of the foot
3
a
: a disagreeable situation
b
: altercation, fight
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share