scrapes; scraped; scraping
1
: to damage (the surface of something) or hurt (a part of your body) by rubbing something rough or sharp against it or by making it rub against something rough or sharp
Someone had scraped the car with a key.
I scraped one of the chairs while bringing it up the stairs.
I scraped my knee when I fell.
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to rub or cause (something) to rub against a hard surface and make a harsh and usually unpleasant sound
fingernails scraping against a blackboard
the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as people stood to leave
The boat scraped against the edge of the dock.
She scraped her fingernails across the blackboard.
The deer scraped its antlers against the tree.
3
a
: to remove (something) from a surface by rubbing an object or tool against it
Scrape the seeds into a bowl.
Scrape the paint from the wood.
—often + offThe tool was used to scrape hair off buffalo skins.
Scrape the scales off the fish.
He scraped off the dirt from his shoes.
b
: to clean (something) by rubbing an object or tool against it
Please scrape your plate into the trash.
4
: to barely succeed in collecting or gathering (something needed or wanted) by making an effort
—+ together or up
He managed to scrape up enough money for lunch.
We scraped enough players together to play basketball.
plural scrapes
1
: a mark or injury that is caused by something rubbing against something else
There's a scrape on the fender that wasn't there yesterday.
I got a scrape on my knee when I fell.
We survived the accident with a few minor bumps and scrapes.
2
informal
: a bad, dangerous, or unpleasant situation
legal/financial scrapes
She got into a few scrapes with the police/law when she was younger.
3
: a harsh and usually unpleasant sound that is made when something rubs against a hard surface
the scrape of fingernails on a blackboard
Cite this Entry
“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/scrape. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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