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1. Dictionary

   scratch

   /skraCH/

   verb

   • 1. score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object: "the car's paintwork was battered and scratched" Similar scoreabradescraperoughenscuff (up)lacerategroovegashengraveincisegouge
   • ▪ make a long, narrow superficial wound in the skin of: "her arms were scratched by the thorns" Similar grazescrapeabraderaspskinrub rawcutlaceratebarkchafestripflaywoundtechnical:excoriate
   • ▪ rub (a part of one's body) with one's fingernails to relieve itching: "Jessica lifted her sunglasses and scratched her nose" Similar rubclaw (at)scrapetear at
   • ▪ make (a mark or hole) by scoring a surface with a sharp or pointed object: "I found two names scratched on one of the windowpanes"
   • ▪ write (something) hurriedly or awkwardly: "pass me my writing things—I'll scratch a few letters before I get up"
   • ▪ remove (something) from something else by pulling a sharp implement over it: "he scratched away the plaster"
   • ▪ make a rasping or grating noise by scraping something over a hard surface: "the dog scratched to be let in"
   • ▪ (of a bird or mammal, especially a chicken) rake the ground with the beak or claws in search of food: "the hens cannot do anything that comes naturally to them, such as scratch around"
   • ▪ accomplish (something) with great effort or difficulty: "he scratches out a living growing strawberries"
   • 2. cancel or strike out (writing) with a pen or pencil: "the name of Dr. McNab was scratched out and that of Dr. Daniels substituted" Similar cross outstrike outscore outdeleteeraseremovestrike offeliminatecancelexpungeobliterate
   • ▪ withdraw (a competitor) from a competition: "Oswald's Zephyr was the second horse to be scratched from a race today" Similar withdrawpull out (of)back out (of)bow out (of)stand downgive upleavequit
   • ▪ (of a competitor) withdraw from a competition: "due to a knee injury she was forced to scratch from the race"
   • ▪ cancel or abandon (an undertaking or project): "the original filming schedule has been scratched"
   • 3. play a record using the scratch technique. "he raps and scratches simultaneously to dazzling effect"

   noun

   • 1. a mark or wound made by scratching: "the scratches on her arm were throbbing" Similar scoremarklineabrasionscrapescufflacerationgroovegashgouge
   • ▪ a slight or insignificant wound or injury: informal "it's nothing—just a scratch" Similar grazescrapeabrasioncutlacerationwound
   • ▪ an act or spell of scratching oneself to relieve itching: "he gave his scalp a good scratch"
   • ▪ a rasping or grating noise produced by something rubbing against a hard surface: "the scratch of a match lighting a cigarette"
   • ▪ a rough hiss, caused by the friction of the stylus in the groove, heard when a record is played.
   • 2. a technique, used especially in rap music, of stopping a record by hand and moving it back and forth to give a rhythmic scratching effect: "a scratch mix"
   • 3. the starting point in a handicap for a competitor receiving no odds: "a 631-meters handicap, when the excellent stayer, Too Fast, will be off scratch"
   • ▪ a handicap of zero, indicating that a player is good enough to achieve par on a course: "he plays off scratch in University golf"
   • 4. money: informal "he was working to get some scratch together"

   adjective

   • 1. assembled or made from whatever is available, and so unlikely to be of the highest quality: "at least two vessels set sail with scratch crews"
   • 2. (of a sports competitor or event) with no handicap given: "he was a scratch player at many courses"

   Word Origin late Middle English: probably a blend of the synonymous dialect words scrat and cratch, both of uncertain origin; compare with Middle Low German kratsen and Old High German krazzōn.

   Derivatives

   • 1. scratcher noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • C

     3

   • H

     4

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › scratchScratch Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › scratch

   • Cached

   1. : to scrape or dig with the claws or nails. 2. : to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged. 3. a. : to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching) b. : to act on (a desire) used with itch. scratch the itch to travel. 4. : to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort. scratch out a living. 5.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSCRATCH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   SCRATCH definition: 1. to cut or damage a surface or your skin slightly with or on something sharp or rough: 2. If you…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › scratchSCRATCH Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › scratch

   • Cached

   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.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › scratchScratch - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › scratch

   A scratch is marking or marring a surface with something sharp, such as a nail against metal or fingernails across skin. If someone has scratch marks on their skin, you might wonder if they have been in a fight where there was scratching.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySCRATCH | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   SCRATCH meaning: 1. to cut or damage a surface or your skin slightly with or on something sharp or rough: 2. If you…. Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSCRATCH definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   If a sharp object scratches someone or something, it makes small shallow cuts on their skin or surface. The branches tore at my jacket and scratched my hands and face. [ VERB noun ]

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › scratchScratch - definition of scratch by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › scratch

   • Cached

   Define scratch. scratch synonyms, scratch pronunciation, scratch translation, English dictionary definition of scratch. v. scratched , scratch·ing , scratch·es v. tr. 1. To make a thin shallow cut or mark on with a sharp instrument. 2. To use the nails or claws to dig or...

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › scratchSCRATCH - 67 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

   dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › scratch

   • Cached

   scratch. Thesaurus > damage to the body > scratch. These are words and phrases related to scratch. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of scratch. DAMAGE TO THE BODY. She had little scratches all over her arms. Synonyms and examples. injury. He was treated for minor injuries. wound.

10. www.merriam-webster.com › wordplay › from-scratch-word-history-originFrom Scratch: Where Does the Phrase Come From? | Merriam-Webster

    www.merriam-webster.com › wordplay › from-scratch-word-history-origin

    • Cached

    To create something from scratch is to make it without any ingredients or materials prepared ahead of time. The scratch in from scratch originally referred to the starting line of a race 'scratched' into the ground, from which all runners would be starting without a head start.

11. www.thesaurus.com › browse › scratch37 Synonyms & Antonyms for SCRATCH | Thesaurus.com

    www.thesaurus.com › browse › scratch

    • Cached

    Find 37 different ways to say SCRATCH, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.