First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1scrape
verb \ˈskrāp\
: to damage (the surface of something) or hurt (a part of your body) by rubbing something rough or sharp against it or by making it rub against something rough or sharp
: to rub or cause (something) to rub against a hard surface and make a harsh and usually unpleasant sound
: to remove (something) from a surface by rubbing an object or tool against it
scrapedscrap·ing
Full Definition of SCRAPE
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>
— scrap·er noun
See scrape defined for English-language learners
See scrape defined for kids
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Origin of SCRAPE
Middle English, from Old Norse skrapa; akin to Old English scrapian to scrape, Latin scrobis ditch, Russian skresti to scrape
2scrape
noun
: a mark or injury that is caused by something rubbing against something else
: a bad, dangerous, or unpleasant situation
: a harsh and usually unpleasant sound that is made when something rubs against a hard surface
Full Definition of SCRAPE
1
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> b : altercation, fight
See scrape defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SCRAPE
15th century
SCRAPE Defined for Kids
1scrape
verb \ˈskrāp\
scrapedscrap·ing
Definition of SCRAPE for Kids
1
: to remove by repeated strokes with something sharp or rough <He scraped a patch of crust off with his fingernail. — Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee>
2
: to clean or smooth by rubbing <I scraped the windshield to clear off the ice.>
3
: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise <The boat's keel scraped the stony bottom.>
4
: to hurt or roughen by dragging against a rough surface <I scraped my knee on the pavement.>
5
: to get with difficulty and a little at a time <I'm trying to scrape up money.>
2scrape
noun
Definition of SCRAPE for Kids
1
: a sound, mark, or injury made by something being dragged or rubbed against something else
2
: a difficult or unpleasant situation
3
: the act of scraping
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