scratched; scratching; scratches
Definition of scratch
(Entry 1 of 3)
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 itchscratch 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
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
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 scratch one's head scratch the surface
: to accommodate with a favor especially in expectation of like return
: to be or become confused or perplexed
: to make a modest effort or start
scratch
nounDefinition of scratch (Entry 2 of 3)
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6 : a contestant whose name is withdrawn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
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
adjectiveDefinition 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
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Time Traveler for scratch
The first known use of scratch was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century