scrape

verb

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\ ˈskrāp

scraped; scraping

Definition of scrape

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

scrape

noun

Definition of scrape (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the act or process of scraping

b : a sound made by scraping

c : a mark or injury caused by scraping : abrasion bumps and scrapes

2a : 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

4a : a distressing encounter a scrape with death

b : altercation, fight

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Synonyms for scrape

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

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: Verb Those line cooks and hosts, those servers, dishwashers and bussers, lots of them barely scrape by, even in the best of times. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "Your cooking resolutions for 2021: Resolve to cook more good food by starting with simple goals," 4 Jan. 2021 Split the vanilla bean, if using, lengthwise with a paring knife, scrape out the seeds with the back of the knife and add the seeds and pod to the pot. — Washington Post, "This twist on the classic Linzer cookie adds gentle sweetness and texture with corn flour," 2 Dec. 2020 Cook, using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to scrape up the crispy bits, until the sherry is nearly gone, 6 to 7 minutes. — Star Tribune, "Sunday Supper: Chicken With Mushrooms in a Sherry Cream Sauce," 6 Nov. 2020 Those line cooks and hosts, those servers, dishwashers and bussers, lots of them barely scrape by, even in the best of times. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "Your cooking resolutions for 2021: Resolve to cook more good food by starting with simple goals," 4 Jan. 2021 Cut vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds, using the tip of a knife, and add bean paste to the pot. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, "2 ways to whip up a comforting batch of tapioca pudding: classic and dairy-free," 28 Jan. 2021 Those line cooks and hosts, those servers, dishwashers and bussers, lots of them barely scrape by, even in the best of times. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "Your cooking resolutions for 2021: Resolve to cook more good food by starting with simple goals," 4 Jan. 2021 In addition to cleaning out the seeds and strings, scrape away at least 1/2 inch of flesh from inside the pumpkin. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, "Learn How to Etch a Pumpkin for Halloween," 15 Oct. 2020 The best way to peel ginger is to scrape it with a spoon, minimizing effort and waste. — Beth Segal, cleveland, "Ginger 2.0: Christmas is Over, Now What?," 28 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In a few years, after another scrape with the law, she was musically discovered and her singing career took off. — Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Billie Holiday biopic debuting Friday chronicles struggles of jazz legend who was raised in Baltimore," 25 Feb. 2021 Turn off the heat and with a spatula scrape onto the sweet potatoes. — Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, "Sweet, smoky Korean-style ribs bring heat to a winter salad," 19 Feb. 2021 Crusty snow means the grouse scrape out a shallow bed atop the snow, finding no protection from weather or from predators like hawks and owls. — Jim Williams, Star Tribune, "Melt-freeze cycle not ideal winter for birds," 16 Feb. 2021 Add beef broth and scrape all of the good bits from the pan. — John Stanton | Gambit Editor, NOLA.com, "Don’t forget to feed your belly after feeding your soul on Mardi Gras," 8 Feb. 2021 The organism enters the body through a cut or scrape in the skin. — New York Times, "Her Wrist Was Swollen and Excruciatingly Painful. Steroids Didn’t Help Much.," 16 Dec. 2020 Anyone who has worked in a hospital or nursing home knows the sickening sound of an old person falling: a faint cry, the scrape of a grasped nightstand, the horrible thwack of failing limbs and an undefended skull meeting hard floor. — Ben Moor, STAT, "Too many Covid-19 patients face death alone. Vaccinated volunteers could change that," 27 Jan. 2021 There were rubs everywhere, and a reeking fresh scrape line. — Will Brantley, Field & Stream, "10 Lessons from the 2020 Deer Season," 5 Jan. 2021 McMann made his living in the traditional way of the island, with his crab scrape and oyster dredge. — Washington Post, "On a Trump-loving island in the Chesapeake, a virus outbreak unites instead of divides," 22 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrape. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for scrape

scrape

verb

English Language Learners Definition of scrape

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of scrape (Entry 2 of 2)

: a mark or injury that is caused by something rubbing against something else

informal : a bad, dangerous, or unpleasant situation

: a harsh and usually unpleasant sound that is made when something rubs against a hard surface

See the full definition for scrape in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scrape

verb

\ ˈskrāp

scraped; scraping

Kids Definition of scrape

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Kids Definition of scrape (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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