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• scotch
  scotch

  verb (used with object)

  to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil.
• Scotch
  Scotch

  adjective

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

scotch

¹ American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil.

   to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.

2. to cut, gash, or score.

3. to injure so as to make harmless.

4. to block or prop with a wedge or chock.

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noun

1. a cut, gash, or score.

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

scotch ² American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object)

Masonry.

1. scutch.

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Scotch ³ American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

adjective

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

   Scotch plaid.

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

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

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noun

• Scotches
  plural

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

2. (often lowercase) Scotch whisky.

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

scotch ¹ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

1. to put an end to; crush

   bad weather scotched our plans

2. archaic to injure so as to render harmless

3. obsolete to cut or score

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noun

1. archaic a gash; scratch

2. a line marked down, as for hopscotch

Scotch ² British  

/ skɒtʃ /

adjective

1. another word for Scottish

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noun

1. the Scots or their language

Scotch ³ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

noun

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

2. a type of relatively mild beer

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scotch ⁴ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

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

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noun

1. a block or wedge to prevent motion

Usage

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

Commonly Confused

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Scotches
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of scotch¹

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

Origin of Scotch³

First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish

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Explanation

Don't get your hopes up: The verb to scotch has nothing to do with the well-known liquor. Instead, it means to prevent or stop something from happening. To scotch is, most often, to prevent plans, efforts, or desires — as opposed to things — from coming about. You wouldn't say, for example, "turning off the flame is one way to scotch the steak." But you might say, "Our plans for spending the weekend camping in the mountains were scotched by the blizzard. No camping for us." Think of scotching as similar to throwing a wrench into someone's plans. Drinking Scotch is one way to scotch your efforts to remain sober.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scotch Scotch Scotches

I’m sure it was good scotch but that view, the service and the atmosphere just made everything extra special.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

But a provincial official appeared to scotch such suggestions, telling AFP: "There are no security alerts of any kind".

From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026

To try to demonstrate the pair are not that close, and to scotch claims that his links to Lord Mandelson could ruin a future leadership pitch.

From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026

He drinks aged scotch with people he barely likes and eats brunch at the country club he’ll soon be unable to afford.

From Salon ● Apr. 11, 2025

Red Pollard sipped his scotch and reminisced about Seabiscuit and quietly slipped out of history.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

I enjoyed classic Scottish food like full Scottish breakfasts with haggis and blood pudding; chicken rumbledethumps, a dish with mashed potatoes, cabbage and cheese; Tennents lager and single-malt Scotch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

The maker of Post-It notes and Scotch Tape now expects adjusted earnings of $9.10 to $9.15 a share for the year, up from a prior outlook of $8.80 to $8.95 a share.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

The Scottish government has welcomed the lifting of tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the United States.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

“If Scotland can emphasize very small differences between Speyside and Highlands-style Scotch, what’s more fun than showing off variations between Seattle, Colorado, Texas and Nantucket?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

There were six people and a Scotch terrier inhabiting the remote farmhouse Major Major called home, and five of them and the Scotch terrier turned out to be agents for the F.B.I.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Single malts long have been and still are largely used for blended Scotches, which are single malts blended with grain whisky; the pop appeal of single malts is a relatively new phenomenon.

From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2018

David said he was expecting more variation among them, and recalled that years ago blended Scotches were maltier and peatier.

From New York Times ● Mar. 16, 2018

Here is where Canadian whiskey is perched on the shelf next to high-end Japanese labels and Scotches.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 24, 2015

The new liqueurs will have a more limited market than the mixed drinks and Scotches, but will be more profitable.

From Time Magazine Archive

He settled to stay over here with the south-side Scotches, and the little one-note song reaching his attention, he suddenly shoved his foot at the nearest boy, who lightly sprang away.

From Lin McLean by Owen Wister

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Related Words

• bring down curtain
• bring to an end
• crush
• end
• nip in the bud
• put a stop to
• put an end to
• put paid to
• put the lid on
• squelch
• stamp out

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