scrape

1 of 2

verb

scraped; scraping

transitive verb

1
a
: to remove from a surface by usually repeated strokes of an edged instrument
b
: to make (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged instrument or an abrasive
2
a
: to grate harshly over or against
b
: to damage or injure the surface of by contact with a rough surface
c
: to draw roughly or noisily over a surface
3
: to collect by or as if by scraping
often used with up or together
scrape up the price of a ticket

intransitive verb

1
: to move in sliding contact with a rough surface
2
: to accumulate money by small economies
3
: to draw back the foot along the ground in making a bow
4
: to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed
just scraped through at school
working two jobs and barely scraping by
scraper noun

scrape

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act or process of scraping
b
: a sound made by scraping
c
: a mark or injury caused by scraping : abrasion
bumps and scrapes
2
a
: the nest of a bird consisting of a usually shallow depression in the ground
b
: a cleared area on the forest floor made by a male deer during breeding season to attract a doe
3
: a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground
4
a
: a distressing encounter
a scrape with death

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

Verb 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. 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. Scrape the seeds into a bowl. Scrape the paint from the wood. Noun 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. She got into a few scrapes with the police when she was younger. the scrape of fingernails on a blackboard
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Each page was scraped about seven times on average. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Now, add the wine and scrape any of those yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
Along the shoulder was a large scrape and there was a mark on his upper middle back. Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025 Then Hincapie saw red for tangling with Simeone’s son Giuliano (who, just like his dad in the old days), did some expert meddling, including getting in a scrape with Granit Xhaka and theatrically zipping his own lips shut when the referee had words). Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrape

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old Norse skrapa; akin to Old English scrapian to scrape, Latin scrobis ditch, Russian skresti to scrape

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrape was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrape. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrape

1 of 2 verb
scraped; scraping
1
a
: to remove by repeated strokes of an edged tool
scrape off rust
b
: to clean or smooth by rubbing
2
a
: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise
b
: to damage or injure by dragging or rubbing against a rough surface
scraped his knee on the pavement
3
a
: to gather with difficulty and little by little
scrape together a few dollars
b
: to barely get by
scraped through with low grades
scraper noun

scrape

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act or process of scraping
b
: a sound, mark, or injury made by scraping
2
: a bow made with a pulling back of the foot
3
a
: a disagreeable situation

More from Merriam-Webster on scrape

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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