scratch

play

verb \ˈskrach\

Definition of scratch

transitive verb
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
3a : 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
6a : to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line throughb : to withdraw (an entry) from competition
7 : scribble, scrawl
8 : to scrape along a rough surface scratch a match
intransitive verb
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
4a : to make a thin grating soundb : 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

scratch one's back

: to accommodate with a favor especially in expectation of like return

scratch one's head

: to be or become confused or perplexed

scratch the surface

: to make a modest effort or start

See scratch defined for English-language learners

See scratch defined for kids

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Examples of scratch in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of scratch

Middle English scracchen, probably blend of scratten to scratch and cracchen to scratch

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

scratch

noun

Definition of scratch

1 : a mark or injury produced by scratching; also : a slight wound
2 : scrawl, scribble
3 : the sound made by scratching
4 : the starting line in a race
5a : a test of courageb : 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6 : a contestant whose name is withdrawn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
8a : 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 pocketb : a shot that scores by chance : fluke
9 slang : money, funds

from scratch

1 : from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time build a school system from scratch
2 : without using a prepared mixture of ingredients bake a cake from scratch

See scratch defined for English-language learners

Examples of scratch in a Sentence

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.

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.

First Known Use of scratch

circa 1586

scratch

adjective

Definition of scratch

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

See scratch defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of scratch

1851

SCRATCH Defined for English Language Learners

scratch

play

verb

Definition of scratch for English Language Learners

: to rub your skin with something sharp (such as your fingernails) especially in order to stop an itch
: to make a shallow and narrow cut in (your skin) with something sharp (such as fingernails, claws, etc.)
: to rub a surface or object with something sharp or rough in a way that produces a harsh sound

scratch

noun

Definition of scratch for English Language Learners

: a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it
: a shallow and narrow cut in the skin that is caused by something sharp
: the sound made when something sharp rubs against a surface or object

scratch

adjective

Definition of scratch for English Language Learners

of a golfer : having no handicap
: put together quickly and without enough planning or thought

SCRATCH Defined for Kids

scratch

play

verb \ˈskrach\

Definition of scratch for Students

scratched

;

scratching

1 : to scrape or rub lightly scratch an itch He scratched his head.
2 : to injure by scraping with something sharp He scratched his thumb on a nail.
3 : to make a scraping noise The dog was scratching at the door.
4 : to erase by scraping I scratched out my mistake.