scrounge

Also scrounger

[skrounj]

verb (used with object)

scrounged, scrounging 

1. to borrow (a small amount or item) with no intention of repaying or returning it.

   to scrounge a cigarette.

2. to gather together by foraging; seek out.

   We'll try to scrounge enough food for supper from the neighbors.

verb (used without object)

scrounged, scrounging 

1. to borrow, especially a small item one is not expected to return or replace.

noun

1. a habitual borrower; sponger.

2. an act or instance of scrounging.

3. a person who exists by foraging.

verb phrase

1. scrounge around,  to search or forage for something, especially in a haphazard or disorganized fashion; hunt for.

   We scrounged around for something to eat.

scrounge

/ skraʊndʒ /

verb

1. to search in order to acquire (something) without cost

2. to obtain or seek to obtain (something) by cadging or begging

Other Word Forms

• scrounger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrounge¹

First recorded in 1905–10; alteration of dial. scringe to glean

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrounge¹

C20: variant of dialect scrunge to steal, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Of late, investors scrounging for stocks have preferred junk —smaller companies with poor fundamentals and exorbitant valuations—over quality companies with healthy sales and earnings growth, solid balance sheets, and more attractive prices.

Read more on Barron's

Macron’s government is currently scrounging for tens-of-billions in cost savings as it tries to rein in the government’s budget deficit, which reached 5.8% of economic output last year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Analysts are scrounging for any signal about the economy’s trajectory this month because the government shutdown has turned off the spigot of official government data.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Order in from Goop At this point, we’re kind of scrounging for dinner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They scrounged for clean blankets, saline and other emergency medical supplies in the dusty and mud-caked camp.

Read more on Los Angeles Times