scrape

play

verb \ ˈskrāp \

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

Virtually every news organization—even The New York Times and The New Yorker—attempted to scrape some traffic from Cecil.

— franklin foer, The Atlantic, "When Silicon Valley Took Over Journalism," 8 Aug. 2017
Those who used to scrape a living from the soil with a wooden hoe start driving tractors.

— The Economist, "If borders were openA world of free movement would be $78 trillion richer," 13 July 2017
Spray a bowl with cooking oil, and scrape the dough into it.

— kim ode, The Seattle Times, "Making your own Danish pastries is like taking a mini-vacation … with butter," 4 July 2017
Use the edge of the spoon and simply scrape away the skin.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Family embraces farm-to-table lifestyle," 1 July 2017
To scrape through June and cover a big pension payment, Chicago Public Schools took out two loans totaling $387 million.

— juan perez jr., chicagotribune.com, "CTU President Lewis criticizes district's 'usurious' borrowing deal," 28 June 2017
With a rubber spatula, scrape every bit of the sauce into the wok and stir-fry until the beef is only barely pink, about 2 minutes.

— nick kindelsperger, star-telegram.com, "‘Bangkok’ brings the flavors of the bustling city to life," 27 June 2017
In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a hand beater, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy on medium speed, about 4 to 5 minutes. Scrape down with a rubber spatula.

— caron golden, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brian Malarkey's perfect picnic," 27 June 2017
Scrape down sides of bowl to incorporate all flour, if needed.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Learn to cook with cherries in dishes both sweet and savory," 23 June 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

Synonyms

grate, grind, rasp, scratch

Related Words

rub; groan, whine

Near Antonyms

glide, skate, slide

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 victim had visible injuries, including scratches to her throat, bruising to her face and scrapes on her knees, according to Roy.

— nereida moreno, chicagotribune.com, "Man followed woman from party, assaulted her in Little Village: Prosecutors," 6 Aug. 2017
No matter what, never dry-sand or dry-scrape lead paint.

— audrey dutton and hailey ross, idahostatesman, "3 in 10 Ada County houses may have lead paint. Simple steps will keep your family safe.," 2 Aug. 2017
The latter, wielded by Europeans, has dominated the half millennium since that scrape on the beach.

— The Economist, "Living off the land," 20 July 2017
Even more surprising: In an age where baggage flops onto the belt with dents and scrapes, the Emu can emerged unscathed—and upright.

— cynthia drescher, CNT, "Australian Passenger Reportedly Checks In Single Can of Beer on Flight," 11 July 2017
Chop in quarters two onions, scrape and cut in half 4 carrots, clean 4 to 6 ribs of celery, and place all vegetable in the bottom of a roasting pan.

— The Courier-Journal, "Xtras recipe of the day: Cold Hot Brown," 8 July 2017
Chop in quarters two onions, scrape and cut in half 4 carrots, clean 4 to 6 ribs of celery, and place all vegetable in the bottom of a roasting pan.

— The Courier-Journal, "Xtras recipe of the day: Cold Hot Brown," 8 July 2017
Hudek appeared for a hearing Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, wearing a beige jail uniform and sporting a scrape or bruise below his right eye.

— christine willmsen, Alaska Dispatch News, "Fists, bottles flew after man tried to open door on Seattle-Beijing flight, charges say," 8 July 2017
The 63-year-old woman suffered serious cuts, scrapes and bruises to her face from the fall, authorities said.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tips sought to find Alpine assault suspect," 7 July 2017

First Known Use of scrape

15th century

scrape Synonyms

Synonyms

brush, hassle, run-in, encounter, skirmish

Related Words

argument, fight, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tiff; battle, brawl, fray, wrangle

SCRAPE Defined for English Language Learners

scrape

play

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

play

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

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SCRAPE Defined for English Language Learners

scrape

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scrape

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