scratch Definition
scratch (skrac̸h)
transitive verb
- to mark, break, or cut the surface of slightly with something pointed or sharp
- to tear or dig with the nails or claws
- to rub or scrape lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc.
- to chafe
- to rub or scrape with a grating noise to scratch a match on a wall
- to write or draw hurriedly or carelessly
- to strike out or cancel (writing, etc.)
- to gather or collect with difficulty; scrape (together or up)
- Sports to withdraw (an entry) from a contest, specif. from a horse race
Etymology: LME scracchen, prob. altered < scratten, to scratch, based on cracchen < or akin to MDu cratsen, to scratch < IE base *gred- > Alb gërüj, (I) scratch
intransitive verb
- to use nails or claws in digging or wounding
- to rub or scrape the skin lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc.
- to manage to get by; scrape by
- to make a harsh, scraping noise
- to withdraw from a race or contest
- in certain card games, to score no points
- Billiards, Pool to commit a scratch
noun
- the act of scratching
- a mark or tear made in a surface by something sharp or rough
- a wound, usually superficial, inflicted by nails, claws, or something pointed pulled across the skin, etc.
- a slight grating or scraping sound
- a hasty mark, as of a pen; scribble
- the starting line of a race
- in certain card games, a score of zero
- ☆ Slang money
- Billiards, Pool
- a shot that results in a penalty
- a miss
- Sports
- the starting point or time of a contestant who receives no handicap
- such a contestant
- an entry withdrawn from a contest
adjective
- ☆ used for hasty notes, preliminary or tentative figuring, etc. scratch paper
- skillful enough to require no handicap or special allowance in a contest a scratch golfer
- put together in haste and without much selection a scratch team
- ☆ Baseball designating a chance hit credited to a batter for a ball not hit sharply, but on which the batter reaches base safely
scratch Related Forms
scratch Idioms
from scratch
- from the start; from the very beginning
- from nothing; without resources, advantage, etc.
scratch the surface
to do, consider, or affect something superficially
up to scratch
- toeing the mark; ready to start a race, contest, etc.
- Informal ready to meet difficulties, start on an enterprise, etc.
- Informal up to standard; acceptable; good
Scratch Definition
Scratch (skrac̸h)
scratch Synonyms
scratch
n.
from scratch*
scratch Synonyms
scratch Usage Examples
Object
- surface: Summary I've barely begun to scratch the surface of Perl here.
- paintwork: Care must be taken when fitting not to scratch the bike paintwork.
- yours: You scratch their back and they will scratch yours!
- crystal: It is 300 meters resistant, sturdy uni directional, ratchet operated rotating bezel with screwed down crown and scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
- living: Scratching a living Clearly then, the Fund is under pressure.
- nose: I've got a bruised leg and a scratched nose but otherwise I'm looking forward to trying to complete a lap tomorrow!
Converse of object
remove: To remove scratches, use an auto polishing compound.
Adjective modifier
- minor: All door handles are complete and working, roof has a few minor scratch scratch and chip marks, one coupling lock missing.
- tiny: The cake stand has a couple of tiny light scratches to the plate, probably got from cutting cakes!
- super: It has a super hard scratch resistant sapphire crystal and a screw down crown which allows for 100 meters of water resistance.
- deep: If the flooring has spillage marks or deep scratches then get these attended to as quickly as possible.
Modifies a noun
- resistant: The scratch resistant " military green cabinet has a quality feel.
- golfer: An enjoyable course for the beginner and scratch golfer alike.
- dial: Outside, on the south wall of the chancel, there is a medieval scratch dial.
- pad: Glad I'm belonging to the " Normal " group tho and I love the ' scratch pad ' !
- resistance: Apticote 3200 adds scratch resistance, grip and spring to your lightweight titanium clubs.
- card: The maximum fine for selling lottery tickets or scratch cards to any person underage is £ 5000.
Modifying Another Word
barely: To make meaningful European sales where the brand has barely scratched a selling surface.
Followed by an intransitive particle
around: There are footballers who played in the past who must scratch around to make a pitiful living today.
Possessives
em: Scratch ' em and sniff ' em for a burst of fragrance!
Browse dictionary entries near scratch
- ‹ scrappy
- ‹ scrapple
- ‹ scrapper
- ‹ scraping
- ‹ scrapie
- ‹ scrapheap
- ‹ scraper
- ‹ scrape
- ‹ scrapbook
- ‹ scrap iron
- scratch line ›
- scratch sheet ›
- scratch test ›
- scratch the surface ›
- scratchboard ›
- scratching ›
- scratchpad ›
- scratchy ›
- scrawl ›
- scrawled ›

