scum

American  

[skuhm] / skʌm /

noun

1. a film or layer of foul or extraneous matter that forms on the surface of a liquid.

2. refuse or offscourings.

3. a low, worthless, or evil person.

4. such persons collectively; riffraff; dregs.

5. scoria.

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verb (used with object)

scummed, scumming

1. to remove the scum from.

2. to remove as scum.

verb (used without object)

scummed, scumming

1. to form scum; become covered with scum.

scum British  

/ skʌm /

noun

1. a layer of impure matter that forms on the surface of a liquid, often as the result of boiling or fermentation

2. the greenish film of algae and similar vegetation surface of a stagnant pond

3. Also called: dross.   scruff.  the skin of oxides or impurities on the surface of a molten metal

4. waste matter

5. a worthless person or group of people

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verb

1. (tr) to remove scum from

2. rare (intr) to form a layer of or become covered with scum

Other Word Forms

• scumless adjective
• scumlike adjective
• scummer noun
• unscummed adjective

Etymology

Origin of scum

1200–50; Middle English scume < Middle Dutch schūme ( Dutch schuim ) foam; cognate with German Schaum foam

Example Sentences

“I went through four years of hell by this scum that we had to deal with,” Trump said.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2025

The first is a “caution” advisory, which indicates visitors can swim but should stay away from algae and scum in the water.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024

For most people, the word “algae” evokes puddles of puke-brown scum.

From Science Magazine • May 21, 2024

On Earth, ocean scum is a key part of sea spray that contributes to the smell of the ocean.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2024

The winter melts, leaving a grubby scum of cinders, wet paper, soggy old leaves.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• froth