scrappy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

scrap·​py ˈskra-pē 

scrappier; scrappiest

: consisting of scraps

scrappy meals

scrappy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

scrappier; scrappiest

1

: quarrelsome

2

: having an aggressive and determined spirit : feisty

Synonyms

Adjective (2)

• aggressive
• agonistic
• argumentative
• assaultive
• bellicose
• belligerent
• brawly
• chippy
• combative
• confrontational
• contentious
• discordant
• disputatious
• feisty
• gladiatorial
• militant
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• truculent
• warlike

Examples of scrappy in a Sentence

Adjective (2)

she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size

a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His two touchdown passes and 201 all-purpose yards led Cathedral to a scrappy, 16-14 Angelus League title-clinching victory over St. Paul — the Phantoms’ first league title since 2018. —Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Because the show is all about a scrappy fighter training to be the best in a world full of magical people, though, anime series like Pokémon and Naruto were an obvious go-to source of inspiration. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2024

Douglas plays a scrappy fighter looking to support his disabled brother (Arthur Kennedy) by taking a few rounds in the ring. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024

The series began, much like its protagonist, as a scrappy underdog before taking on legend status with the 2021 sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

scrap entry 1

Adjective (2)

scrap entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1837, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scrappy

adjective

scrap·​py

ˈskrap-ē

scrappier; scrappiest

1

: quarrelsome

2

: having an aggressive and determined spirit

scrappiness noun