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scratch
1[skrach]
verb (used with object)
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.
verb (used without object)
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to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.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.
noun
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.
adjective
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.
Scratch
2[skrach]
noun
Old Scratch; Satan.
scratch
/ skrætʃ /
verb
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
noun
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
adjective
sport (of a team) assembled hastily
(in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty
informal, rough or haphazard
Other Word Forms
- scratchiness noun
- scratchy adjective
- scratchily adverb
- scratchable adjective
- scratchably adverb
- scratcher noun
- scratchless adjective
- scratchlike adjective
- unscratchable adjective
- unscratched adjective
- unscratching adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of scratch1
Origin of scratch2
Word History and Origins
Origin of scratch1
Idioms and Phrases
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.
More idioms and phrases containing scratch
- from scratch
- up to par (scratch)
Example Sentences
However, the 30-year-old was a late scratch from the lineup the next day after his hand swelled up, and was placed on the injured list last weekend in San Francisco.
The bear disappeared into the darkness and Mohr was left with torn clothes and a few scratches, but no more serious damage.
The day Likins brought the cats home, staffers at Cool Cat Collective and TippedEars gave her every resource imaginable, including a 20% off coupon for Chewy products and scratch post recommendations.
“When you’ve got an established franchise and you’re building on something that’s had an audience in the past, it’s a lot easier to build your campaign on top of that, rather than starting from scratch.”
While MacLeod’s body was ravaged — he had an enormous gash in his right shoulder where the lightning entered and a gaping hole in his back where it exited — Nordbrock barely had a scratch.
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When To Use
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.
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.
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