scotch

[ skoch ]

/ skɒtʃ /

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See synonyms for scotch on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil: to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.

to cut, gash, or score.

to injure so as to make harmless.

to block or prop with a wedge or chock.

noun

a cut, gash, or score.

a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of scotch

1375–1425; late Middle English scocche (noun and v.), perhaps blend of score and notch (>Anglo-French escocher)

Words nearby scotch

scorpion spider, Scorpius, Scorsese, scot, scot and lot, scotch, Scotch Blackface, Scotch bonnet, Scotch broom, Scotch broth, Scotch crocus

Other definitions for scotch (2 of 3)

scotch²

[ skoch ]

/ skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object), noun Masonry.

scutch (defs. 2, 4).

Other definitions for scotch (3 of 3)

Scotch

[ skoch ]

/ skɒtʃ /

adjective

(used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people: Scotch plaid.

Sometimes Offensive. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.

(usually lowercase)Informal. frugal; provident; thrifty.

noun

(used with a plural verb)Sometimes Offensive. the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.

(often lowercase) Scotch whisky.

Sometimes Offensive. the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.

Origin of Scotch

First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish

words often confused with Scotch

The natives of Scotland refer to themselves as Scots or, in the singular, Scot, Scotsman, or Scotswoman. The related adjectives are Scottish or, less commonly, Scots. Scotch as a noun or adjective is objected to by the Scots except when used of whisky and in established phrases like Scotch egg and Scotch pine. In the United States, Scotch is often used in inforrmal speech and writing where the Scots themselves, or some Americans of Scottish descent, would prefer Scottish or Scots. The term Scotch-Irish is standard in the United States for the descendants of the Scots of Ulster who immigrated to America beginning in the 18th century.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Scotch

Scot, Scots, Scotch , Scottish (see confusables note at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scotch in a sentence

So fix yourself a Scotch and listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars.
Nick Offerman Is Living His Best Scotch Life|Noah Rothbaum|July 23, 2021|The Daily Beast
He told Wired that he had snorted lines of cocaine and downed a bottle of Scotch each day at his desk at an information storage systems company called Omex.
John McAfee, software entrepreneur with outlaw persona, dies in prison at 75|Glenn Rifkin|June 23, 2021|Washington Post
Silver’s death was announced by 3M — maker of products including Scotch tape — where he had worked for nearly three decades.
Spencer Silver, inventor who made the Post-it Note stick, dies at 80|Emily Langer|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
For example, Dow Jones recently named Macallan the official scotch of Penta, a luxury and wealth sub-brand that’s now part of Barron’s.
With pandemic continuing to recede, publishers pitch longer-term partnerships|Max Willens|March 12, 2021|Digiday

Distillers of Scotch whisky — the Britain’s largest food and drink export last year — cheered the news that the 25 percent tariff would be cut to zero.
Exxon sues Macquarie Energy to avoid paying $11.7 million for storm-related delivery delay||March 4, 2021|Washington Post
The company recently partnered with Oakley to create a one-of-a-kind single malt Scotch flask.
The Restaurant, Flask, And Photography Worthy of The Macallan Whisky||December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the course of my time behind the bar I developed a passion for single malt Scotch.
A Whisky Connoisseur Remembers That First Sip of The Macallan||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It represented everything about the kind of comfort and the little luxuries in life that a good glass of Scotch can afford us.
A Whisky Connoisseur Remembers That First Sip of The Macallan||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And for Scotch in particular—which can spend decades in the barrel—wood is critical to the finished spirit.
How Much Do Whisky Casks Really Affect Taste?||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More than perhaps any other distiller of Scotch whisky, The Macallan understands the importance of color to a great whisky.
Why Natural Color Is So Crucial To Understanding A Whisky’s Flavors||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They will reach you by the hands of Mr. Mackenzie, a worldly-minded Scotch merchant, but honest as to earthly things.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Highland gentlemen of every degree are mostly fond of Gillespie; while operatives from the Lowlands generally prefer plain Scotch.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
George Gordon: Scotch birth, so far as can learn; left an orphan; lived mostly in London.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
We had seen nothing just like it in England, though some of the Scotch villages which we saw later, matched it very well.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
You will find these two traits in every grade of Scotch life—in tradesman, mechanic, and peasant.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (1 of 4)

scotch¹

/ (skɒtʃ) /

verb (tr)

to put an end to; crushbad weather scotched our plans

archaic to injure so as to render harmless

obsolete to cut or score

noun

archaic a gash; scratch

a line marked down, as for hopscotch

Word Origin for scotch

C15: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (2 of 4)

scotch²

/ (skɒtʃ) /

verb

(tr) to block, prop, or prevent from moving with or as if with a wedge

noun

a block or wedge to prevent motion

Word Origin for scotch

C17: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (3 of 4)

Scotch¹

/ (skɒtʃ) /

adjective

another word for Scottish

noun

the Scots or their language

usage for Scotch

In the north of England and in Scotland, Scotch is not used outside fixed expressions such as Scotch whisky. The use of Scotch for Scots or Scottish is otherwise felt to be incorrect, esp when applied to people

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (4 of 4)

Scotch²

/ (skɒtʃ) /

noun

Also called: Scotch whisky whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland

Northeast English a type of relatively mild beer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scotch

Origin of scotch

Words nearby scotch

Other definitions for scotch (2 of 3)

Other definitions for scotch (3 of 3)

Origin of Scotch

words often confused with Scotch

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Scotch

Words related to scotch

How to use scotch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (1 of 4)

Word Origin for scotch

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (2 of 4)

Word Origin for scotch

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (3 of 4)

usage for Scotch

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (4 of 4)