scalp
Americannoun
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scalps
plural
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the integument of the upper part of the head, usually including the associated subcutaneous structures.
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a part of this integument with the accompanying hair, severed from the head of an enemy as a sign of victory, as by some North American Indians and others during the colonial and frontier periods in the U.S.
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any token of victory.
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the integument on the top of the head of an animal.
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Informal. a small profit made in quick buying and selling.
verb (used with object)
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scalps,
present (3rd person singular)
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scalped,
past participle, past
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scalping
present participle
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to cut or tear the scalp from.
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Informal.
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to resell (tickets, merchandise, etc.) at higher than the official rates.
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to buy and sell (stocks) so as to make small quick profits.
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to plane down the surfaces of (an ingot, billet, or slab).
verb (used without object)
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scalps,
present (3rd person singular)
-
scalped,
past participle, past
-
scalping
present participle
noun
-
anatomy the skin and subcutaneous tissue covering the top of the head
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(among North American Indians) a part of this removed as a trophy from a slain enemy
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a trophy or token signifying conquest
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hunting a piece of hide cut from the head of a victim as a trophy or as proof of killing in order to collect a bounty
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informal a small speculative profit taken in quick transactions
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dialect a projection of bare rock from vegetation
verb
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to cut the scalp from
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informal to purchase and resell (securities) quickly so as to make several small profits
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informal to buy (tickets) cheaply and resell at an inflated price
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scalpsimple
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scalpssimple
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have scalpedperfect
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has scalpedperfect
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am scalpingprogressive
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are scalpingprogressive
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is scalpingprogressive
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have been scalpingperfect progressive
-
has been scalpingperfect progressive
Past
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scalpedsimple
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had scalpedperfect
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was scalpingprogressive
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were scalpingprogressive
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had been scalpingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of scalp
1250–1300; Middle English (north) (noun), perhaps < Old Norse skālpr sheath (hence, metaphorically a covering)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Koreatown’s iconic 24-hour sanctuary is doubling down on self-care with the upcoming launch of Root Head Spa, a Japanese-style scalp treatment, alongside new high-tech wellness upgrades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
PRP therapy, a buzzy treatment involving needle injections into the scalp, can be administered on a lunch break.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
The herb may also improve blood flow to the scalp.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 7, 2026
She says much of the work has focused on male hair loss, partly because men are more likely to get hair transplant surgery, which has made scalp samples easier to access for scientists.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026
"They make the scalp itch most terribly," she said.
From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl
Josh Tongue bowled quickly for his 4-42, Ollie Robinson passed 100 Test wickets with his 3-15 and Jofra Archer claimed the remaining three scalps.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
In a recent study, researchers placed electrodes across the scalps of sedated patients, capturing their brain-wave data.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
State laws restricting private-equity involvement in the medical sector have taken their first scalps, as authorities signal an aggressive approach to enforcement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
It could end up being a three-way contest, with the SNP's Angus Robertson one of the biggest potential scalps of the election.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
She rubbed the water into our scalps, behind our ears, under our arms, then sent us to chase one another in the slippery mud.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
“In fact, the exhibitors set the price and, frankly, with tickets at Lincoln Square being scalped for $1,000, I think there’s room to move up the prices for a film.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
“This worthy president,” retorted Biddle in 1834, “thinks that because he has scalped Indians and imprisoned judges, he is to have his way with the Bank. He is mistaken.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
Carnegie tickets are being scalped for as much as $850.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2024
Try telling that to a Depeche Mode follower whose only options for a Madison Square Garden show this month are scalped seats ranging from $302 to $1,220.
From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2023
The lords clasped their bare heads as if they'd been scalped.
From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman
On the scalping site StubHub, tickets for the BTS shows in Mexico are going for as much as $13,000.
From Barron's ● May 5, 2026
Washington’s intention to wage a humane and gentlemanly war for American independence was subsumed by proliferating mayhem, especially on the remote frontiers, where practices such as scalping were well established.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
“People were literally scalping for Thrillers tickets,” he says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2025
During a tour, he will buy extra pit tickets with his own money and distribute them to the group at face value to combat scalping.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 6, 2023
Tell everybody, when you write your story, that they’re scalping our souls out here.”
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
