scratch

1 of 3

verb

ˈskrach 

scratched; scratching; scratches

transitive verb

1

: to scrape or dig with the claws or nails

2

: to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged

3

a

: to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching)

b

: to act on (a desire)

—used with itch

scratch the itch to travel

4

: to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort

scratch out a living

5

: to write or draw on a surface

6

a

: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through

b

: to withdraw (an entry) from competition

7

: scribble, scrawl

8

: to scrape along a rough surface

scratch a match

intransitive verb

1

: to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding

2

: to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)

3

: to gather money or make a living by hard work and especially through irregular means and sacrifice

had to scratch and save for college

4

a

: to make a thin grating sound

b

: to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by or as if by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle

5

: to withdraw from a contest or engagement

6

: to make a scratch in billiards or pool

scratcher noun

scratch

2 of 3

noun

1

: a mark or injury produced by scratching

also : a slight wound

2

: scrawl, scribble

3

: the sound made by scratching

4

: the starting line in a race

5

a

: a test of courage

b

: satisfactory condition, level, or performance

not up to scratch

6

: a contestant whose name is withdrawn

7

: poultry feed (such as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise

called also scratch feed

8

a

: a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn

specifically : a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket

b

: a shot that scores by chance : fluke

9

slang : money, funds

scratch

3 of 3

adjective

1

: arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard

a scratch team

2

: made as or used for a tentative effort

3

: made or done by chance and not as intended

a scratch shot

4

: having no handicap or allowance

a scratch golfer

5

: made from scratch : made with basic ingredients

a scratch cake

Phrases

scratch one's back

: to accommodate with a favor especially in expectation of like return

scratch one's head

: to be or become confused or perplexed

scratch the surface

: to make a modest effort or start

from scratch

1

: from a point at which nothing has been done ahead of time

build a school system from scratch

2

: without using a prepared mixture of ingredients

bake a cake from scratch

Did you know?

The phrase up to scratch has its origins in the world of sports. In the 18th century, scratch began to be used for a line or mark that served as the starting point in a contest or competition. In order to begin or continue a fight, for example, a pugilist would "come up to the scratch," positioning himself at a line drawn across the prize ring. Up to the scratch was soon being used figuratively of anyone who was ready and able to do something. Over the years, the usage of the phrase has evolved somewhat, but something that is "up to scratch" can still be said to be ready and able in that it is capable of functioning or performing as expected.

Synonyms

Verb

• abrade
• graze
• scrape
• scuff

Noun

• creak
• grind
• jar
• rasp
• scrape

Examples of scratch in a Sentence

Verb

Will you scratch my back for me?

Scratching the itch only makes it worse.

The dog scratched its ear.

You shouldn't scratch. It'll just make your itch worse.

Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars.

Careful, the cat will scratch.

The dog was scratching at the door.

Be careful not to scratch the table.

Someone scratched the paint on my car.

The little boy scratched lines in the dirt with a stick.

Noun

There's a scratch in the paint on the new car!

The table is an antique but it doesn't have any dents or scratches.

I got a scratch on my leg when I climbed the fence.

The only sound in the room during the test was the scratch of pencils on paper.

We don't have the scratch to buy a new car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2019, hundreds of witches’ marks were found scratched into the walls of an English cave system in the East Midlands, central England. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024

Avoid scratching the scalp, as this irritates the skin further. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

The hotel plans to produce key ingredients from scratch, including roasting small-batch coffee and making olive oil with olive trees grown on the premises. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Making something from scratch, such as cookies, a candle or a sugar scrub, may also prove especially meaningful, Valentino said. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Milestone in Mystic Milestone restaurant in the heart of downtown Mystic promises music, craft cocktails and from scratch American comfort food in a lively atmosphere like its sister eatery in Redding. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English scracchen, probably blend of scratten to scratch and cracchen to scratch

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scratch

• cat scratch disease
• from scratch
• scratch a living
• scratch card
• scratch hit
• scratch off
• scratch out
• scratch out a living
• scratch pad
• scratch paper
• scratch sheet
• scratch someone's back
• scratch test
• scratch the/an itch
• scratch the/that itch
• scratch ticket
• start from scratch
• up to scratch
• without a scratch
• You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

scratch

1 of 2 verb

ˈskrach 

1

: to scrape, rub, or injure with or as if with the claws or nails

2

: to act on (a desire)

—used with itch

scratch the itch to travel

3

: to make a living by hard work and saving

4

a

: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through

b

: to withdraw (an entry) from competition

5

: to write or draw especially hastily or carelessly : scrawl

6

: to scrape or rub oneself lightly especially to relieve itching

7

: to make a thin harsh sound

this pen scratches

scratcher noun

scratch

2 of 2 noun

1

: a mark (as a line) or injury made by scratching

also : a slight wound

2

: the sound of scratching

3

: the line from which competitors start in a race

4

: satisfactory state or performance

not up to scratch