scratched; scratching; scratches
1
: to scrape or dig with the claws or nails
2
: to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged
3
a
: to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching)
b
: to act on (a desire)
—used with itch
scratch the itch to travel
4
: to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort
scratch out a living
5
: to write or draw on a surface
6
a
: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through
b
: to withdraw (an entry) from competition
8
: to scrape along a rough surface
scratch a match
1
: to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding
2
: to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)
3
: to gather money or make a living by hard work and especially through irregular means and sacrifice
had to scratch and save for college
4
a
: to make a thin grating sound
b
: to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by or as if by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle
5
: to withdraw from a contest or engagement
6
: to make a scratch in billiards or pool
scratcher
noun
1
: a mark or injury produced by scratching
also
: a slight wound
3
: the sound made by scratching
4
: the starting line in a race
5
a
: a test of courage
b
: satisfactory condition, level, or performance
not up to scratch
6
: a contestant whose name is withdrawn
7
: poultry feed (such as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise
called also scratch feed
8
a
: a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn
specifically
: a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket
b
: a shot that scores by chance : fluke
1
: arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard
a scratch team
2
: made as or used for a tentative effort
3
: made or done by chance and not as intended
a scratch shot
4
: having no handicap or allowance
a scratch golfer
5
: made from scratch : made with basic ingredients
a scratch cake
Did you know?
The phrase up to scratch has its origins in the world of sports. In the 18th century, scratch began to be used for a line or mark that served as the starting point in a contest or competition. In order to begin or continue a fight, for example, a pugilist would "come up to the scratch," positioning himself at a line drawn across the prize ring. Up to the scratch was soon being used figuratively of anyone who was ready and able to do something. Over the years, the usage of the phrase has evolved somewhat, but something that is "up to scratch" can still be said to be ready and able in that it is capable of functioning or performing as expected.
Examples of scratch in a Sentence
Verb
Will you scratch my back for me?
Scratching the itch only makes it worse.
The dog scratched its ear.
You shouldn't scratch. It'll just make your itch worse.
Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars.
Careful, the cat will scratch.
The dog was scratching at the door.
Be careful not to scratch the table.
Someone scratched the paint on my car.
The little boy scratched lines in the dirt with a stick.
Noun
There's a scratch in the paint on the new car!
The table is an antique but it doesn't have any dents or scratches.
I got a scratch on my leg when I climbed the fence.
The only sound in the room during the test was the scratch of pencils on paper.
We don't have the scratch to buy a new car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
This can include scratching granular fertilizer into the soil around the base of your plants, watering with compost tea or fish emulsion, or top dressing with a fresh layer of compost—just be sure to pay attention to the specific needs of the different plants in your garden.
—Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025
Christian Hyatt, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The self-sustaining community makes everything from scratch, but must venture to the mainland occasionally for firewood and deer meat.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 20 June 2025
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scratch
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Avoid using abrasive cleaners, like scouring pads or steel wool, as these can scratch the surface.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
This can include scratching granular fertilizer into the soil around the base of your plants, watering with compost tea or fish emulsion, or top dressing with a fresh layer of compost—just be sure to pay attention to the specific needs of the different plants in your garden.
—Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025
Noun
The ability to generate ideas from scratch, to truly go from nothing to something, is a skill.
—Christian Hyatt, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The self-sustaining community makes everything from scratch, but must venture to the mainland occasionally for firewood and deer meat.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 20 June 2025
Adjective
Milestone in Mystic Milestone restaurant in the heart of downtown Mystic promises music, craft cocktails and from scratch American comfort food in a lively atmosphere like its sister eatery in Redding.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scratch
Cite this Entry
“Scratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratch. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scratch
1 of 2 verb1
: to scrape, rub, or injure with or as if with the claws or nails
2
: to act on (a desire)
—used with itch
scratch the itch to travel
3
: to make a living by hard work and saving
4
a
: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through
b
: to withdraw (an entry) from competition
5
: to write or draw especially hastily or carelessly : scrawl
6
: to scrape or rub oneself lightly especially to relieve itching
7
: to make a thin harsh sound
this pen scratches
scratcher
noun
scratch
2 of 2 noun1
: a mark (as a line) or injury made by scratching
also
: a slight wound
2
: the sound of scratching
3
: the line from which competitors start in a race
4
: satisfactory state or performance
not up to scratch
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