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 of scrounge

• 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

Money was tight, but each summer the family scrounged a humble vacation out of coins saved in empty cans of orange-juice concentrate. —Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026

Everyone else is scrounging for the scraps. —HubSpot, 1 June 2026

Keep Trash Closed The outdoor trash can be another source for food that needs to be sealed tightly and moved indoors to prevent squirrels from scrounging in the bins. —Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026

The Yanks and Dodgers don’t have to scrounge for every sponsorship buck, but the Guardians and Pirates have more reason to. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 May 2026

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