scratch

Meaning

Verb

1. To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
2. To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
3. To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
4. To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).
5. to get such scratches
6. To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
7. To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
8. To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
9. To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
10. (US, dated) To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
11. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.
12. (ambitransitive) To dig or excavate with the claws.
13. To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.
14. To announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports meeting that one was previously signed up for, usually in lieu of another event at the same meeting.

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
2. (countable, uncountable) An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
3. (countable, uncountable) A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
4. (countable, uncountable) A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.
5. (countable, uncountable) The last riders to depart in a handicap race.
6. (countable, uncountable) An aberration.
7. (US, archaic, countable, slang, uncountable) An aberration.
8. (countable, uncountable) A horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start.
9. (countable, uncountable) A minor injury.
10. (countable, slang, uncountable) Money.
11. (countable, uncountable) A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.
12. (countable, in-plural, uncountable) Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.
13. (countable, historical, uncountable) A scratch wig.
14. (countable, uncountable) A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.
15. (countable, uncountable) Scrawled or illegible handwriting; chicken scratch.
16. (countable, uncountable) Nothing, zero. Used especially in card games or sports, but also expressions like "from scatch".

Adj

1. (not-comparable) For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
2. (not-comparable) Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation
3. (not-comparable) Relating to a scratchpad, a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
4. (not-comparable) (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.

Synonyms

scrape

abrasion

cut

claw

rub

graze

scar

wound

mark

grate

bruise

tear

gash

rake

itch

abrade

paw

dig

chafe

injury

shave

score

streak

blemish

incision

scribble

scrawl

cicatrix

scrabble

creak

split

prick

stroke

prickly heat

fray

excoriation

fret

starting line

carve

line

ringworm

scrub

chip

hurt

rip

grave

🪦

peel off

peel

expunge

grab

Translations

gratter

kratzen

graffiare

grattare

griffer

rascar

arañar

égratigner

rasguñar

Schramme

Kratzer

graffio

🪝

krabben

arranhar

éraflure

Pronounced as (IPA)

/skɹæt͡ʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: scracchen

In summary

From Middle English scracchen, of uncertain origin. Probably a blend of Middle English scratten (“to scratch”) and cracchen (“to scratch”). More at scrat and cratch.