scrounge

[ skrounj ]

verb (used with object)

, scrounged, scroung·ing.

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, scroung·ing.

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. 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. whenintr, sometimes foll by around to search in order to acquire (something) without cost
2. to obtain or seek to obtain (something) by cadging or begging

Derived Forms

• ˈscrounger, 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

Since Holtsman did not receive much guidance or support, he had to scrounge for supplies and ran his own operations.

From The Daily Beast

When you earn money, cash falls from the sky, meaning you have to scrounge on the floor for dollar bills.

From The Daily Beast

“I have been on food stamps and had to scrounge for money,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

I was able to scrounge up $9,000 and then put in $9,000 of my own, so I was in for $18,000.

From The Daily Beast

"Let's scrounge anything we can find that runs on gasoline or coal oil," said Al Miner.

From Project Gutenberg

I was never any good at this so Bruce used to scrounge for us.

From Project Gutenberg

While my company was in support one day my corporal and I managed to scrounge into a pill-box away from the awful mud.

From Project Gutenberg

One day we missed one of our fellows, a Cockney, for about two hours, and guessed he was on the "scrounge" somewhere or other.

From Project Gutenberg

Back from a spell behind Ypres in 1915, a few of us decided to scrounge round for a hair-cut.

From Project Gutenberg