to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough.
to scratch one's hand on a nail.
to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc..
to scratch the burs off one's coat.
to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.
to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface.
to scratch a match on the sidewalk.
to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed byout ).
Scratch out the third name on the list.
to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.
U.S. Politics.
to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.
to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface.
She scratched her initials on the glass.
to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.
to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.
to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.
to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.
to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty.
We scratched along that year on very little money.
to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.
(in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.
Billiards, Pool. to make a shot that results in a penalty, especially to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching.
three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.
a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.
an act of scratching.
the slight grating sound caused by scratching.
the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.
Billiards, Pool.
a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
a fluke or lucky shot.
(in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.
Baseball. scratch hit.
Slang. money; cash.
used for hasty writing, notes, etc..
scratch paper.
without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.
Informal. done by or dependent on chance.
a scratch shot.
Informal. gathered hastily and indiscriminately.
a scratch crew.
done or made from scratch.
a scratch cake.
up to scratch, in conformity with a certain standard; adequate; satisfactory.
The local symphony orchestra has improved this year, but it is still not up to scratch.
from scratch,
from the very beginning or starting point.
from nothing; without resources.
After the depression he started another business from scratch.
to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument
to scrape (the surface of something), as with claws, nails, etc
to scrape (the surface of the skin) with the nails, as to relieve itching
to chafe or irritate (a surface, esp the skin)
to make or cause to make a grating sound; scrape
to erase by or as if by scraping
(tr) to write or draw awkwardly
to earn a living, manage, etc, with difficulty
to withdraw (an entry) from a race, match, etc
(intr) billiards snooker
to make a shot resulting in a penalty
to make a lucky shot
(tr) to cancel (the name of a candidate) from a party ticket in an election
informal to be struggling or in difficulty, esp in earning a living
to treat (a subject) superficially
if you will help me, I will help you
the act of scratching
a slight injury
a mark made by scratching
a slight grating sound
a competitor or the status of a competitor who has no allowance or receives a penalty
( as modifier )
a scratch player
the time, initial score, etc, of such a competitor
the line from which competitors start in a race
(formerly) a line drawn on the floor of a prize ring at which the contestants stood to begin or continue fighting
a withdrawn competitor in a race, etc
billiards snooker
a shot that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball enters the pocket
a lucky shot
poultry food
informal from the very beginning
informal (usually used with a negative) up to standard
sport (of a team) assembled hastily
(in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty
informal rough or haphazard
What’s the difference between scratch and itch? To scratch something is to scrape it or rub it. An itch is a feeling of irritation on the skin, often one that makes you want to scratch it. The word itch can also be used as a verb meaning to have this sensation (as in My leg itches) or to cause to itch (as in The tag on my shirt keeps itching me). Itch also has some more figurative meanings as both a noun and a verb. The reason you looked this up, though, is because itch is sometimes informally used to mean the same thing as scratch, as in Try not to itch your mosquito bites—it will only make them itchier! Language purists are often itching to clarify that you scratch an itch, but this verb use of itch is quite common. As a noun, the word scratch means something different—a cut or scrape, typically a minor one caused by something having scratched the skin, as in I got a few scratches from the thornbush. Here’s an example of scratch and itch used correctly in the same sentence. Example: I know your rash itches, but don’t scratch your itch so hard—you’ll leave a scratch on your arm!Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between scratch and itch.
1425–75; late Middle English scracche (v.), blend of Middle English scratte to scratch, and cracche to scratch; cognate with Middle Dutch cratsen
1730–40; alteration of scrat hermaphrodite ( late Middle English scratte; compare Old English scritta (once), which may be an error for *scratta ); cognate with Old Norse skratti devil, goblin, wizard, Old High German skraz wood-demon
I didn’t remember to bring my puppy, Fido, in from the snow until he began to frantically scratch at the door. A scratch is marking or marring a surface with something sharp, such as a nail against metal or fingernails across skin. If someone has scratch marks on their skin, you might wonder if they have been in a fight where there was scratching. Scratch can also mean to eliminate something, as in, “You can scratch our idea, the boss is going with the new guy’s plan.” And Scratch, often referred to as Old Scratch, is a longstanding nickname of the Devil.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A PhD student in Sydney has produced cosmic dust from scratch by recreating a small piece of the universe inside a laboratory bottle.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
Yes, you can build your soup base from the water used to cook your noodles, but I prefer starting from scratch with chicken or vegetable stock, which adds richness and depth.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
“Is it to scratch an itch or because they think that’s the way they’ll accumulate more wealth?”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
I watched the shark wiggle, like he was trying to scratch an itch on his back, and I ran along the railing to get ahead of him, so I could see him swim by.
From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen
Record Scratch: A music industry coalition is pushing streaming giants like Spotify and Apple Music to label songs made by and with AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Rosie Matthews, from Chew Valley in Somerset, said she was relieved to have taken out higher-level insurance just weeks before her cat, Scratch, was hit by a car.
From BBC ● May 4, 2026
Scratch the surface of American politics or culture, and medievalism seems to always be lurking just beneath.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2025
Scratch cooking and cooking education initiatives have been proven to help cut down on food waste and improve students’ nutritional intake, both in the United States and in Germany.
From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2024
Scratch, scratch: scratch, scratch came the sound of the digging above.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Tiny impurities in the water or even microscopic scratches inside a container can provide those starting points.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026
Clover’s long, tasseled ears collect leaves, grass, and assorted debris on walks, and she scratches them out semiregularly.
From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2026
The bonnet of the car was left with two scratches that he estimated would cost up to £300 to get fixed professionally.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
Diabetes can damage foot nerves, making it easier for patients to miss small scratches and wounds that could lead to serious infections.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
Then his eyes sharpen, and he scratches his head.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Mice with the specialized neurons scratched normally in response to itch.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
The Dodgers’ game against the Pirates on Wednesday was the fourth Smith had missed since being scratched from the lineup Saturday with a stiff neck.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Zion’s logo was scratched off the wall, its guitars were seized and the site was sealed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
Mice missing TRPV4 in sensory neurons scratched less often overall, but each scratching episode lasted much longer than normal.
From Science Daily ● May 10, 2026
Maya-Jade had taken to wearing a pencil behind her ear to take notes, and now she took it out and scratched something down before tapping the pencil against her chin.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
However, animals lacking those neurons, or in which the neurons had been switched off, showed a dramatic reduction in scratching behavior.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
"Pokémon Go will always start with community - we think we're only scratching the surface here," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
The first ever English World Cup team assembled by a German coach has fans scratching their heads.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
Sir Fig Newton circled around, guiding my hand to the appropriate scratching spots.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
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.
