scratch
adjective
1. For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
- This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.
2. Hastily assembled; put together in a hurry or from disparate elements.
3. (computing, from scratchpad) Relating to a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
4. Constructed from whatever materials are to hand.
5. (sports) (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.
6. Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard.
- a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards
- a scratch race: one without restrictions regarding the entry of competitors
noun
1. an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
Similar word(s): abrasion, excoriation, scrape
Definition categories: state, lesion, wound
2. a depression scratched or carved into a surface
Similar word(s): dent, incision, slit
Definition categories: shape, depression, impression, imprint
3. informal terms for money
Similar word(s): boodle, bread, cabbage, clams, dinero, dough, gelt, kale, lettuce, lolly, loot, lucre, moolah, pelf, shekels, simoleons, sugar, wampum
Definition categories: possession, money
4. a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
Definition categories: person, challenger, competition, competitor, contender, rival
5. a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
Similar word(s): start
Definition categories: location, line
6. dry mash for poultry
Definition categories: food, mash
7. a harsh noise made by scraping
- the scrape of violin bows distracted her
Similar word(s): scrape, scraping, scratching
Definition categories: event, noise
8. poor handwriting
Similar word(s): cacography, scrawl, scribble
Definition categories: communication, hand, handwriting, script
9. (golf) a handicap of zero strokes
- a golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course
Definition categories: attribute, handicap
10. an indication of damage
Similar word(s): mark, scar, scrape
Definition categories: attribute, blemish, defect, mar
Sentences with scratch as a noun:
- I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already.
- Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.
- The dog sat up and had a good scratch.
verb
1. cause friction
- my sweater scratches
Similar word(s): chafe, fray, fret, rub
Definition categories: contact, adjoin, meet, touch
2. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
Similar word(s): scrape
Definition categories: contact, incise
3. scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
- Don't scratch your insect bites!
Definition categories: perception, irritate
4. postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
- we had to scrub our vacation plans
- scratch that meeting--the chair is ill
Similar word(s): cancel, scrub
Definition categories: social
5. remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
- scratch that remark
Similar word(s): excise, expunge, strike
Definition categories: contact, cancel, delete
6. gather (money or other resources) together over time
- She had scraped together enough money for college
- they scratched a meager living
Similar word(s): scrape
Definition categories: contact, accumulate, amass, collect, compile, hoard
7. carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
- the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree
Similar word(s): engrave, grave, inscribe
Definition categories: contact, carve
Sentences with scratch as a verb:
- Could you please scratch my back?
- I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
- A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass.
- Scratch what I said earlier; I was wrong.
- When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows.
- Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table.
- Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.