scavenger

American  

[skav-in-jer] / ˈskæv ɪn dʒər /

noun

1. an animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter.

2. a person who searches through and collects items from discarded material.

3. a street cleaner.

4. Chemistry. a chemical that consumes or renders inactive the impurities in a mixture.

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scavenger British  

/ ˈskævɪndʒə /

noun

1. a person who collects things discarded by others

2. any animal that feeds on decaying organic matter, esp on refuse

3. a substance added to a chemical reaction or mixture to counteract the effect of impurities

4. a person employed to clean the streets

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scavenger Scientific  

/ skăv′ən-jər /

1. An animal that feeds on dead organisms, especially a carnivorous animal that eats dead animals rather than or in addition to hunting live prey. Vultures, hyenas, and wolves are scavengers.

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Other Word Forms

• scavengery
  noun

Etymology

Origin of scavenger

1520–30; earlier scavager < Anglo-French scawageour, equivalent to ( e ) scawage inspection ( escaw ( er ) to inspect < Middle Dutch schauwen to look at (cognate with show ) + -age -age ) + -eour -or ²

Explanation

Ever catch a raccoon in your garbage can? The critter is a scavenger, digging around for whatever it can find to eat. In fact, anything or anybody searching for and collecting what others have tossed away is a scavenger. Originally the Middle English word skavager referred to a customs collector who collected scavage, or a toll on foreign goods brought in to sell. In the late 14th Century, scavengers were people hired to clean the streets. Later, the word was used for animals who ate decaying creatures. Later still, the "scavenger hunt" became popular as a game where people have to find items on a list. Anyone who hunts for and collects castoffs could be called a scavenger.

Example Sentences

The dump, which is partly open air, attracts large numbers of scavenger birds.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

“Watching a season of your favorite NFL team has turned into a $1,000-a-year scavenger hunt,” said Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEO of America’s Communications Association.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

I would like for there to be activities or games such as scavenger hunts, escape rooms, billiards, pinball, karaoke, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey — you name it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Many scavenger species have also developed behaviors that help limit their exposure to disease, further reducing the risks associated with this food source.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2026

Not a good day for a book scavenger.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman