scrapper

¹ American  

[skrap-er] / ˈskræp ər /

noun

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

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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.

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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

"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

A scrapper, fighter, hustler and striver, Inez — portrayed by Taylor in a fierce, career-defining turn — will not back down when it comes to the son she insists on fighting for.

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2023

Here was a 24-year-old scrapper sucking up all the oxygen with a simplistic riff on an age-old plot.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2021

Well, some of the boys who were here this afternoon were telling me that he's quite a scrapper.

From Why Joan? by Kelly, Eleanor Mercein

Related Words

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• champion
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