scrape

American  

[skreyp] / skreɪp /

verb (used with object)

scraped, scraping

1. to deprive of or free from an outer layer, adhering matter, etc., or to smooth by drawing or rubbing something, especially a sharp or rough instrument, over the surface.

   to scrape a table to remove paint and varnish.

2. to remove (an outer layer, adhering matter, etc.) in this way.

   to scrape the paint and varnish from a table.

3. to scratch, injure, or mar the surface of in this way.

   to scrape one's arm on a rough wall.

4. to produce by scraping.

   He scraped his initials on the rock.

5. to collect or do by or as if by scraping; do or gather laboriously or with difficulty (usually followed by up ortogether ).

   They managed to scrape together a football team.

6. to rub harshly on or across (something).

   Don't scrape the floor with your boots!

7. to draw or rub (a thing) roughly across something.

   Scrape your shoes on the doormat before you come in.

8. to level (an unpaved road) with a grader.

9. Digital Technology. to extract (data) from a digital source for automated replication, formatting, or manipulation by a computer program, as in data mining or website data analysis.

   This project scrapes comments on online forums for linguistic research.

   We can scrape older data from obsolete systems with a very simple interface.

---

verb (used without object)

scraped, scraping

1. to scrape something.

2. to rub against something gratingly.

3. to produce a grating and unmusical tone from a string instrument.

4. to draw one's foot back noisily along the ground in making a bow.

5. to manage or get by with difficulty or with only the barest margin.

   I barely scraped through on the test.

6. to economize or save by attention to even the slightest amounts.

   By careful scraping they managed to survive.

   Synonyms:

   pinch, stint, scrimp

noun

1. an act or instance of scraping.

2. a drawing back of the foot noisily along the ground in making a bow.

3. a harsh, shrill, or scratching sound made by scraping.

4. a scraped place.

   a scrape on one's elbow.

5. an embarrassing or distressing situation; predicament.

   He is always in some kind of a scrape.

6. a difference of opinion, fight, or quarrel; scrap.

7. Digital Technology.

   1. the process of extracting data from a digital source for automated replication, formatting, or manipulation by a computer program, as in data mining or website data analysis.

      How long will the scrape take to complete?

   2. the product of this process.

      The scrape maliciously copied private content to manipulate search engine rankings.

scrape British  

/ skreɪp /

verb

1. to move (a rough or sharp object) across (a surface), esp to smooth or clean

2. (tr; often foll by away or off) to remove (a layer) by rubbing

3. to produce a harsh or grating sound by rubbing against (an instrument, surface, etc)

4. (tr) to injure or damage by rough contact

   to scrape one's knee

5. (intr) to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and scrape )

6. (intr) to draw the foot backwards in making a bow

7. (tr) to finish (a surface) by use of a scraper

8. (tr) to make (a bearing, etc) fit by scraping

9. to behave with excessive humility

---

noun

1. the act of scraping

2. a scraped place

3. a harsh or grating sound

4. informal an awkward or embarrassing predicament

5. informal a conflict or struggle

scrape Idioms  

1. see (scrape the) bottom of the barrel; bow and scrape; scare (scrape) up.

---

Other Word Forms

• scrapable adjective
• scrapeage noun
• scraper noun
• unscraped adjective

Etymology

Origin of scrape

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb scrapen, from Old Norse skrapa (replacing Middle English shrapen Old English scrapian “to scratch”); cognate with Old Norse skrapa; noun derivative of the verb

Explanation

To scrape something is to scratch or remove its surface. If you scrape your knee, you'll probably need a Band Aid. You can scrape the toe of your favorite boots, or scrape your arm on a branch. This might cause a scrape on your skin or your shoe, a mark that shows. There is also a kind of scrape you can hear, like the scrape of a chair on a floor, and the kind of scrape, or awkward situation, you suddenly find yourself in. People also scrape things together, or gather up as much as they can find.

Example Sentences

Another abject defeat could end Liverpool's hopes of progressing even before the second leg, at which point the season would become solely about trying to scrape back into the Champions League next season.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

There’s no one like her— other than her — for the learning machines to scrape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

They can simply purchase data and even physical locations from third-party brokers that routinely scrape the internet for specific geolocation coordinates from weather apps, mobile games, and digital advertising networks.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2026

Jobs outside of the farm are common in rural areas, and they’ve become increasingly important for farmers needing to scrape by in tough times.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The guards rewarded him for his help by letting him scrape up any remaining fruit.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• clean
• grind
• rub
• shave