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

These cakes are bound to scrounge up some serious secret admirers—and not-so-secret ones too! —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026

Exceedingly urgent pitches have flooded small-business owners' inboxes since the middle of last year, when many of them scrounged for money to pay unexpected tariff bills. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026

If the Jets can scrounge any additional assets out of this pick, that wouldn’t be the worst thing. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026

Bradley said that, from the Chamber’s perspective, employers are sick and tired of scrounging for talent. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 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