Scotch

1 of 7

adjective

ˈskäch 

1

: scottish

2

: inclined to frugality

Scotch

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noun (1)

1

: scots

2

plural in construction : the people of Scotland

3

often not capitalized : whiskey distilled in Scotland especially from malted barley

called also Scotch whisky

Scotch

3 of 7

trademark

—used for adhesive tape

scotch

4 of 7

verb (1)

ˈskäch 

scotched; scotching; scotches

transitive verb

1

archaic : cut, gash, score

also : wound

we have scotched the snake, not killed it

—William Shakespeare

2

: to put an end to

scotched rumors of a military takeover

scotch

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noun (2)

: a superficial cut : score

scotch

6 of 7

noun (3)

: a chock to prevent rolling or slipping

scotch

7 of 7

verb (2)

scotched; scotching; scotches

transitive verb

1

: to block with a chock

2

: hinder, thwart

Examples of Scotch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This idea was scotched in April, but revived two months later. —Charlotte Observer, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025

This idea was scotched in April 2022, but then was revived two months later. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

Single malts get all the love, but the fact is that blended scotch is the people’s champ, outselling the latter by a wide margin. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2025

Originally built in 1907, the Charlotte has homey guest rooms and a bar with an extensive scotch and bourbon selection. —Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

contraction of Scottish

Verb (1)

Middle English scocchen to gash, from Anglo-French escocher, eschocher to pierce

Noun (3)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1639, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Scotch

• Scotch bonnet
• Scotch broom
• Scotch broth
• Scotch egg
• Scotch-Irish
• Scotch pine
• Scotch terrier
• Scotch verdict
• Scotch woodcock

Kids Definition

scotch

1 of 3 verb

ˈskäch

1

archaic : to injure so as to make temporarily harmless

2

: to stamp out : crush

especially : to put an end to by showing the untruth of

scotch a rumor

Scotch

2 of 3 adjective

ˈskäch 

: scottish entry 1

Scotch

3 of 3 noun

1

: scots

2

Scotch plural : the people of Scotland

3

often not capitalized : whiskey made in Scotland especially from barley