scratch meaning

UK /skrætʃ/ US /skrætʃ/ 1 syllable

scratch (verb): cause friction.

scratch has 17 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

scratch as a verb

  1. cause friction
    • my sweater scratches

    Synonyms: rub, fray, fret, chafe

    Type of: touch

  2. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of

    Synonyms: scrape, scratch up

    Type of: incise

    Kinds: claw, scuff

    Related forms: scratcher

  3. scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
    • Don't scratch your insect bites!

    Synonyms: rub, itch

    Type of: irritate

    Related forms: scratcher

  4. postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
    • Call off the engagement
    • cancel the dinner party
    • we had to scrub our vacation plans
    • scratch that meeting--the chair is ill

    Synonyms: cancel, call off, scrub

  5. remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
    • Please strike this remark from the record
    • scratch that remark

    Synonyms: strike, expunge, excise

    Type of: delete

  6. gather (money or other resources) together over time
    • She had scraped together enough money for college
    • they scratched a meager living

    Synonyms: scrape, scrape up, come up

    Type of: roll up

    Kinds: nickel-and-dime

  7. carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
    • engrave a pen
    • engraved the trophy cup with the winner's name
    • the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree

    Synonyms: engrave, grave, inscribe

    Type of: carve

    Kinds: character

scratch as a noun

  1. an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off

    Synonyms: abrasion, scrape, excoriation

    Type of: wound

    Kinds: graze, rope burn

    Related forms: scratchy

  2. a depression scratched or carved into a surface

    Synonyms: incision, prick, slit, dent

    Type of: depression

    Kinds: score

  3. informal terms for money

    Synonyms: boodle, bread, cabbage, clams, dinero, dough, gelt, kale, lettuce, lolly, lucre, loot, moolah, pelf, shekels, simoleons, sugar, wampum

    Type of: money

  4. a competitor who has withdrawn from competition

    Type of: rival

  5. a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game

    Synonyms: start, starting line, scratch line

    Type of: line

  6. dry mash for poultry

    Synonyms: chicken feed

    Type of: mash

  7. a harsh noise made by scraping
    • the scrape of violin bows distracted her

    Synonyms: scrape, scraping, scratching

    Type of: noise

    Related forms: scratchy

  8. poor handwriting

    Synonyms: scribble, scrawl, cacography

    Type of: handwriting

    Kinds: chicken scratch, squiggle

  9. (golf) a handicap of zero strokes
    • a golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course

    Type of: handicap

  10. an indication of damage

    Synonyms: scrape, scar, mark

    Type of: blemish

How to pronounce scratch

scratch is pronounced /skrætʃ/ in British English and /skrætʃ/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with scratch

Word lists: words starting with SC · words ending in CH · 7-letter words

More about scratch on Wikipedia.