scrappy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

scrap·​py ˈskra-pē 

scrappier; scrappiest

: consisting of scraps

scrappy meals

scrappy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

scrappier; scrappiest

1

: quarrelsome

2

: having an aggressive and determined spirit : feisty

Synonyms of scrappy

Adjective (2)

• aggressive
• militant
• hostile
• feisty
• contentious

Examples of scrappy in a Sentence

Adjective (2)

she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size

a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For Adult Swim’s 25th anniversary, IndieWire traced the scrappy and subversive sensibility that turned a ballsy experiment into one of TV’s most influential brands and, for folks like me, a meaningful ritual. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026

An early home test against a scrappy underdog can be an important wake-up call before Missouri faces surging Mississippi State to start SEC play. — Pj Green september 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026

Courtesy Rockaway Film Festival The space certainly feels scrappier than the black-and-white photos of its predecessors. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

scrap entry 1

Adjective (2)

scrap entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scrappy

• chappie
• happy
• nappy
• pappy
• sappy
• snappy
• unhappy

Kids Definition

scrappy

adjective

scrap·​py

ˈskrap-ē

scrappier; scrappiest

1

: quarrelsome

2

: having an aggressive and determined spirit

scrappiness noun