scrape

1 of 2

verb

ˈskrāp 

scraped; scraping

transitive verb

1

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

2

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

3

: to collect by or as if by scraping

—often used with up or together

scrape up the price of a ticket

intransitive verb

1

: to move in sliding contact with a rough surface

2

: to accumulate money by small economies

3

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

4

: to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed

just scraped through at school

working two jobs and barely scraping by

scraper noun

scrape

2 of 2

noun

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

a

: a distressing encounter

a scrape with death

b

: altercation, fight

Synonyms

Verb

• grate
• grind
• rasp
• scratch

Noun

• brush
• encounter
• hassle
• run-in
• skirmish

Examples of scrape in a Sentence

Verb

Someone had scraped the car with a key.

I scraped one of the chairs while bringing it up the stairs.

I scraped my knee when I fell.

fingernails scraping against a blackboard

the sound of chairs scraping on the floor as people stood to leave

The boat scraped against the edge of the dock.

She scraped her fingernails across the blackboard.

The deer scraped its antlers against the tree.

Scrape the seeds into a bowl.

Scrape the paint from the wood.

Noun

There's a scrape on the fender that wasn't there yesterday.

I got a scrape on my knee when I fell.

We survived the accident with a few minor bumps and scrapes.

She got into a few scrapes with the police when she was younger.

the scrape of fingernails on a blackboard

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When the piece is over, my friend scrapes her bow down the strings, and Millie howls with laughter. —Danilyn Rutherford, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025

The 1987/88 champ, scraping past Juventus to keep its hopes intact, has been a dominant force in the Netherlands lately, accruing 91 points to win the Eredivisie last campaign and only recently overtaken by a resurgent first-place Ajax this domestic season. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Noun

Along the shoulder was a large scrape and there was a mark on his upper middle back. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025

Then Hincapie saw red for tangling with Simeone’s son Giuliano (who, just like his dad in the old days), did some expert meddling, including getting in a scrape with Granit Xhaka and theatrically zipping his own lips shut when the referee had words). —Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scrape

• bow and scrape
• scrape along
• scrape bottom
• scrape by
• scrape through

Rhymes for scrape

• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe
• drape
• gape
• grape
• pape
• rape
• scape
• shape
• snape

Kids Definition

scrape

1 of 2 verb

ˈskrāp 

scraped; scraping

1

a

: to remove by repeated strokes of an edged tool

scrape off rust

b

: to clean or smooth by rubbing

2

a

: to rub or cause to rub so as to make a harsh noise

b

: to damage or injure by dragging or rubbing against a rough surface

scraped his knee on the pavement

3

a

: to gather with difficulty and little by little

scrape together a few dollars

b

: to barely get by

scraped through with low grades

scraper noun

scrape

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act or process of scraping

b

: a sound, mark, or injury made by scraping

2

: a bow made with a pulling back of the foot

3

a

: a disagreeable situation

b

: altercation, fight