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scrapper

1 American  
[skrap-er] / ˈskræp ər /

noun

  1. a person who removes or does away with scraps.

scrapper 2 American  
[skrap-er] / ˈskræp ər /

noun

Informal.

  1. a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or contest.

    the best lightweight scrapper in boxing; a rugged political scrapper.

Etymology

Origin of scrapper1

First recorded in 1640–50; scrap 1 + -er 1

Origin of scrapper2

First recorded in 1870–75; scrap 2 + -er 1

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.

"I've got a punch bag in the garage but I'm not a scrapper," he said, adding that his actions at the time were about self preservation.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

But Daryl was always an old-school scrapper, giving him an edge.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2023

The Kraken defensemen are the ones expected to respond most physically when an opposing blue-liner or known scrapper starts going at guys.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2022

In his bio, Sigg presented himself not as a scrapper but as a savant with “unprecedented standards.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2022

He was a born "scrapper," and never so happy as when annoying others.

From The Chums of Scranton High Hugh Morgan's Uphill Fight by Ferguson, Donald

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.