scrounge

American  

[skrounj] / skraʊndʒ /

Also scrounger

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.

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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 British  

/ skraʊndʒ /

verb

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• scrounger noun

Etymology

Origin of scrounge

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

Example Sentences

I had peeked in yesterday, when she was off scrounging up my sad supper.

From Literature

Presumably the gambit is to catch Mr. Powell for lying to Congress regarding the office renovations or scrounge for details in search of some other so far undetected offense.

From The Wall Street Journal

Every day after community service, I’ve been doing something with one of them, either building, posting on websites—Mom made a Facebook page for my coop business!—scrounging supplies, or painting with Liz.

From Literature

What was once one of the coolest secrets in Los Angeles has become a veritable ghost town, the vast empty spaces populated by howling coyotes and scrounging bears.

From Los Angeles Times

He scrounged together stopgap university funding and outside donations to keep the operation running “on fumes,” vowing “to go down swinging.”

From Salon