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scratch
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- pronunciation:
- skraech
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective
- phrases:
- from scratch
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
scratches, scratching, scratched |
| definition 1: |
to mark or damage the surface of by scraping with or against something sharp.
The boy scratched the surface of the desk with his scissors.Parking too close to the fence, she scratched the paint on her car.- synonyms:
- abrade, rasp, scrape
- similar words:
- carve, cut, etch, furrow, gash, gouge, graze, groove, lacerate, man, mar, mark, nick, score, scuff, skin, slash, slice, striate
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| definition 2: |
(of something sharp) to mark or damage the surface of.
The branches scratched the car as it made its way through the woods. |
| definition 3: |
to scrape or dig at with the nails or claws.
I scratched the mosquito bite on my arm.The cat scratched the living room carpet.- synonyms:
- itch
- similar words:
- chafe, claw, gouge, rub, scrabble, scrape, slash
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| definition 4: |
to cancel (something written) by drawing a line through or scribbling over (often fol. by "out").
- synonyms:
- cross out, delete, expunge
- similar words:
- cancel, cut, edit out, erase, excise, omit, rub out
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| definition 5: |
to withdraw (an entry) from a competition or race.
- similar words:
- cancel, default, disqualify, eliminate, nullify, rule out, scotch, withdraw
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| definition 6: |
to write or draw hastily or illegibly; scrawl.
The doctor scratched out a prescription.- synonyms:
- scrawl, scribble
- similar words:
- doodle
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| definition 7: |
to make barely enough for (a living) (usu. fol. by "out").
Somehow he scratched out a living selling pencils.- synonyms:
- eke out
- similar words:
- carve, garner, glean, scrape together
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| related words: |
damage, jettison, jot, worry, wound |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to use the nails or claws to dig, scrape, or tear.
- synonyms:
- claw
- similar words:
- dig, gouge, scrabble, scrape, slash, tear
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| definition 2: |
to attempt to relieve itching by scraping one's skin.
- synonyms:
- itch
- similar words:
- rub
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| definition 3: |
to succeed only with difficulty; earn or save barely enough to live (often fol. by "by").
She was laid off for a few months, but somehow she scratched by.- synonyms:
- make do, scrape by, squeak by
- similar words:
- manage, survive
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| definition 4: |
to withdraw or be withdrawn from a competition, race, or the like.
- synonyms:
- withdraw
- similar words:
- default, foul out
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| definition 5: |
in certain games, to earn no points in a given play or round.
- similar words:
- scribble
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| related words: |
damage, mark |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a mark or slight injury caused by rubbing against something sharp.
I have scratches on my arm from playing with the cat.- synonyms:
- abrasion, graze, nick, scrape
- similar words:
- score
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| definition 2: |
the act or process of scratching.
She gave the itchy bite a good scratch.- synonyms:
- abrasion, rasp, scrape
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| definition 3: |
a scraping or grating sound.
I heard a scratch at the door, and, of course, it was the dog.- synonyms:
- rasp, scrape
- similar words:
- creak
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| definition 4: |
in pool or billiards, a shot that results in a penalty, esp. when the cue ball jumps the cushion or enters a pocket.
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| definition 5: |
in certain games, a score of zero points in a given play or round.
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| definition 6: |
a contestant that has been withdrawn from a competition or race.
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| definition 7: |
(slang) money.
- synonyms:
- bread, dough, green
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| related words: |
abrasion, cash, chip, graze, hand, injury, mark, nick, nil, wound |
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| phrase: |
from scratch |
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
used for short notes, drafts, or doodling.
She did the calculations quickly on scratch paper.- similar words:
- draft
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| definition 2: |
(informal) collected hastily and haphazardly; randomly chosen; thrown together.
a scratch soccer team- similar words:
- haphazard, impromptu, improvised, random, spontaneous
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| definition 3: |
in baseball, indicating a lucky hit, esp. a single.
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| derivation: |
scratcher (n.) |
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