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

• eke (out)
• scrape (up or together)
• squeeze
• wrest
• wring

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

In 2019, a woman referred to as L.R. scrounged $2,400 from friends and family and paid it to Arroyo. —Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025

Isla is pregnant, and Jamie scrounges out a living as a scavenger. —ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025

Family members would scrounge bushes for herbs that had little effect on the boy’s symptoms. —Cynthia Tully, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Cooking gas prices have spiraled as much as 30-fold, so families are back to scrounging for wood to make fires. —Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 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