scratch

verb

\ ˈskrach

scratched; scratching; scratches

Definition of scratch

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 through

b : 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 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

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

scratch

noun

Definition of scratch (Entry 2 of 3)

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 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6 : a contestant whose name is withdrawn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

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 pocket

b : 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

scratch

adjective

Definition of scratch (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from scratch Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about scratch

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Synonyms for scratch

Synonyms: Verb

abrade, graze, scrape, scuff

Synonyms: Noun

creak, grind, jar, rasp, scrape

Did You Know?

Noun

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: Verb

Squirrels scratch across branches soaring far above as birds chirp. — Maria Panaritis, Philly.com, "The Haas family gave Stoneleigh gardens to the public. Lower Merion Schools should keep their hands off of it. | Maria Panaritis," 2 June 2018 The Astros scratched no runs against the two-time Cy Young Award winner while wasting numerous opportunities to do so. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros rally to bludgeon Indians' bullpen," 25 May 2018 Antibiotics had no effect; the doctors scratched their heads. — Nathan Heller, Vogue, "Claire Foy on Becoming a Mother and Trading Her Crown for a Dragon Tattoo," 10 Oct. 2018 In public statements, the ADL scratched its collective head. — Abraham Riesman, Daily Intelligencer, "Can the young activists of IfNotNow change the conversation about Israel and the Palestinians, or will their contradictions hold them back?," 12 July 2018 The Cardinals scratched out 21 points in last year’s showdown against Clemson, which featured Lamar Jackson in a Saturday night home game. — Jake Lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Here's how Louisville football could actually beat Clemson in 2018," 10 July 2018 The Owls scratched out three runs in the sixth inning to even things, then knocked off the Explorers, 5-4, in eight innings in a PIAA Class 6A semifinal at Neumann University’s Bruder Field. — Rick O'brien, Philly.com, "Bensalem rallies to stun La Salle in state baseball semifinal," 12 June 2018 That old yellow rope is splintering in my hands, alders scratching my arms, and a crowd of mosquitoes showed up to help. — Seth Kantner, Anchorage Daily News, "We’re failing in our relationship with nature – and with each other," 9 June 2018 Lynn remembers feeling frozen, until her service dog got her attention by scratching her face. — Ginny Graves, Health.com, "I Suffered a Debilitating Head Injury in the Boston Marathon Bombing. One Year Later, I Completed the Race," 13 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Pros: Low-maintenance, non-porous, repairable Cons: not heat-resistant, will show scratchesKnown widely under the brand name Formica, this affordable material was once ubiquitous in American homes. — Joe Lindsey, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Countertop Materials," 9 May 2019 Brianna ends up asking John to marry her as a way of avoiding being proposed to by a total stranger, which—actually, scratch that. — Mehera Bonner, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bree Just Got Engaged to Someone Who Is Not Roger on Outlander," 14 Jan. 2019 Later that day, doctors amputated both of her legs; the kids survived without a scratch. — Shelley Levitt, Woman's Day, "These 4 Inspirational Women Went to Great Lengths for Their Kids," 4 Dec. 2018 Humidity, light and the quality of scratch are just a few Butler has tested each day for the last three years. — Caroline Blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Is Ypsilanti home to the luckiest lottery ticket plant in the world?," 6 July 2018 Introduce your mom to the wonderful world of bullet journaling with her own planner made from scratch. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "11 DIY Mother's Day Gifts That Will Make Her Feel All *Sparkly* Inside," 4 Apr. 2019 Here are four more examples: McDonald's During the 1984 Olympics, the fast food giant ran a promotional campaign featuring scratch-off tickets. — Brett Molina, USA TODAY, "Build-a-Bear blunder: Other company promotions that epically failed," 13 July 2018 Ypsilanti's Pollard Banknote instant ticket factory might not make the most scratch-offs in the world. — Caroline Blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Is Ypsilanti home to the luckiest lottery ticket plant in the world?," 6 July 2018 While the accomplice and clerk were in the back of the store, the woman was in the front, dancing and periodically grabbing scratch-offs from behind the counter. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, ""Dancing thief" caught on camera stealing scratch-offs while busting a move," 21 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The sessions are aimed at ages 3-10, but what adult doesn’t love scratch art? (610-388-8382, brandywine.org) Shore Baby Parades (Stone Harbor, July 9; Wildwood, Aug. 1; Cape May, Aug. 3; Ocean City, Aug. 9). — Lauren Mccutcheon, Philly.com, "Where to take your kids in Philadelphia this summer," 6 June 2018 In spring 2016, Kornmeyer ran the Scratch pop-up restaurant in Irvington in hopes of finding a permanent location. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "These are all the Indianapolis restaurant closings," 13 July 2017 The TechMatte screen protectors were extremely scratch-resilient compared to others, including protectors that cost more than $40. — Brian X. Chen, New York Times, "Reality Check: What Does, and Doesn’t, Protect Your Smartphone," 24 May 2017 Guinness isn't owned by megabrewer AB InBev, but it is run by multi-national beverage company Diageo (also the world's largest whiskey producer), so scratch independence. — Matt Allyn, Popular Mechanics, "Guinness Is Opening an American Brewery and This Is Why it Matters," 31 Jan. 2017 The TechMatte screen protectors were extremely scratch-resilient compared to others, including protectors that cost more than $40. — Brian X. Chen, The Seattle Times, "What does, and doesn’t, protect your smartphone," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scratch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.