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
Synonyms
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
Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 1 Apr. 2024
Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition and stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Not long after the transformer was invented, researchers at OpenAI began training versions of that style of model on ever-larger collections of text scraped from the web and other sources—a process that can take months.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Their eggs are laid in masses on cars, trees and other outdoor surfaces, the agency said, recommending that people smash and scrape the masses into a plastic bag that's then sealed and disposed of in the trash.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2024
Once onions are caramelized, add wine and Madeira, and cook until the liquid is reduced, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
In the summer of 1968, Chisholm scraped out a narrow victory in the Democratic primary.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
Before the site was taken offline, a researcher scraped all of Parler’s public posts, which included location data.
—Makena Kelly, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
The film scraped together just $1.25 million from 1,146 venues — a smaller screen count than the average wide release.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024
Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The hiker is stable, with minor injuries from scrapes and bruises.
—Noah Osborne, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Aluminum underbody panels offer extra protection from scrapes and bumps, too.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Derek was thrown underneath the same car and suffered a dislocated wrist, scrapes and bruises.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Go for lightweight material that can withstand scrapes against rough surfaces without easily ripping.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
For deer, this can be droppings, tracks, beds, rubs, and scrapes.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease caused by a rare bacterial infection, which develops after bacteria enters the body through cuts, scrapes, burns or insect bites.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2024
Like its carry-on counterpart, its expandable zipper guarantees extra packing space (up to 1.75 inches' worth) and the 29-inch suitcase's hard-shell exterior will endure any drops, scrapes, and spills from the baggage carousel.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2023
Verb
This list barely scrapes the surface, so please excuse the absence of Howdy Glenn, Stoney Edwards, Bobby Womack, Dona Mason, Kane Brown, Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Miko Marks, Allison Russell, and scores more.
—Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 1 Apr. 2024
Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition and stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Not long after the transformer was invented, researchers at OpenAI began training versions of that style of model on ever-larger collections of text scraped from the web and other sources—a process that can take months.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
Their eggs are laid in masses on cars, trees and other outdoor surfaces, the agency said, recommending that people smash and scrape the masses into a plastic bag that's then sealed and disposed of in the trash.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2024
Once onions are caramelized, add wine and Madeira, and cook until the liquid is reduced, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024
In the summer of 1968, Chisholm scraped out a narrow victory in the Democratic primary.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
Before the site was taken offline, a researcher scraped all of Parler’s public posts, which included location data.
—Makena Kelly, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024
The film scraped together just $1.25 million from 1,146 venues — a smaller screen count than the average wide release.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024
Noun
The characters would be extremely annoyed and then change their tune when her shrewd legal mind repeatedly got them out of scrapes.
—Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
The hiker is stable, with minor injuries from scrapes and bruises.
—Noah Osborne, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Aluminum underbody panels offer extra protection from scrapes and bumps, too.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Derek was thrown underneath the same car and suffered a dislocated wrist, scrapes and bruises.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Go for lightweight material that can withstand scrapes against rough surfaces without easily ripping.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
For deer, this can be droppings, tracks, beds, rubs, and scrapes.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh-eating disease caused by a rare bacterial infection, which develops after bacteria enters the body through cuts, scrapes, burns or insect bites.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2024
Like its carry-on counterpart, its expandable zipper guarantees extra packing space (up to 1.75 inches' worth) and the 29-inch suitcase's hard-shell exterior will endure any drops, scrapes, and spills from the baggage carousel.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old Norse skrapa; akin to Old English scrapian to scrape, Latin scrobis ditch, Russian skresti to scrape
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of scrape was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing scrape
Dictionary Entries Near scrape
Cite this Entry
“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrape. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on scrape
Nglish: Translation of scrape for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of scrape for Arabic Speakers
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