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¹scrape

verb \ˈskrāp\

: to damage (the surface of something) or hurt (a part of your body) by rubbing something rough or sharp against it or by making it rub against something rough or sharp

: to rub or cause (something) to rub against a hard surface and make a harsh and usually unpleasant sound

: to remove (something) from a surface by rubbing an object or tool against it

scrapedscrap·ing

Full Definition of SCRAPE

transitive verb

a : to remove from a surface by usually repeated strokes of an edged instrument

b : to make (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged instrument or an abrasive

a : to grate harshly over or against

b : to damage or injure the surface of by contact with a rough surface

c : to draw roughly or noisily over a surface

: to collect by or as if by scraping —often used with up or together <scrape up the price of a ticket>

intransitive verb

: to move in sliding contact with a rough surface

: to accumulate money by small economies

: to draw back the foot along the ground in making a bow

: to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed <just scraped through at school> <working two jobs and barely scraping by>

— scrap·er noun

See scrape defined for English-language learners

See scrape defined for kids

Origin of SCRAPE

Middle English, from Old Norse skrapa; akin to Old English scrapian to scrape, Latin scrobis ditch, Russian skresti to scrape

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SCRAPE

Synonyms: grate, grind, rasp, scratch

Rhymes with SCRAPE

ape, cape, chape, crape, crepe, drape, gape, grape, jape, nape, rape, scape, shape, tape

²scrape

noun

: a mark or injury that is caused by something rubbing against something else

: a bad, dangerous, or unpleasant situation

: a harsh and usually unpleasant sound that is made when something rubs against a hard surface

Full Definition of SCRAPE

a : the act or process of scraping

b : a sound made by scraping

c : a mark or injury caused by scraping : abrasion <bumps and scrapes>

a : the nest of a bird consisting of a usually shallow depression in the ground

b : a cleared area on the forest floor made by a male deer during breeding season to attract a doe

: a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground

a : a distressing encounter <a scrape with death>

b : altercation, fight

See scrape defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SCRAPE

15th century

Related to SCRAPE

Synonyms: brush, hassle, run-in, encounter, skirmish

SCRAPE Defined for Kids

¹scrape

verb \ˈskrāp\

scrapedscrap·ing

Definition of SCRAPE for Kids

: to remove by repeated strokes with something sharp or rough <He scraped a patch of crust off with his fingernail. — Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee>

: to clean or smooth by rubbing <I scraped the windshield to clear off the ice.>

: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise <The boat's keel scraped the stony bottom.>

: to hurt or roughen by dragging against a rough surface <I scraped my knee on the pavement.>

: to get with difficulty and a little at a time <I'm trying to scrape up money.>