scrounge

verb

ˈskrau̇nj 

scrounged; scrounging

transitive verb

1

: steal, swipe

2

a

: to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing

scrounging enough money for a bus ticket

b

: finagle, wheedle

—often used with up

intransitive verb

: to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available

also : to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source

scrounger noun

Synonyms

• earn

Examples of scrounge in a Sentence

I managed to scrounge enough money for a bus ticket.

He's always scrounging off his friends instead of paying for things himself.

We scrounged around for firewood.

We managed to scrounge some firewood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem was still scrounging her cosplay closet for a hard-shell Rolex when someone safely turned the turtles over. —Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025

His decision not to run is a severe blow to the Illinois GOP, which has been scrounging for a candidate to succeed Durbin, a longtime Illinois Democrat who’s held the seat since 1997. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025

That was a problem because Tillis is on the whip team, tasked with helping leaders scrounge up votes for legislation. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 July 2025

As with many of Bruton's projects, the new bike is made up of parts scrounged from other builds. —New Atlas, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect scrunge to wander about idly

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for scrounge

• lounge

Kids Definition

scrounge

verb

ˈskrau̇nj 

scrounged; scrounging

1

: to collect by or as if by rummaging

scrounge around for firewood

2

: to get by coaxing or persuading

scrounge a dollar from a friend

scrounger noun