scrap

1 of 4

noun (1)

often attributive
1
scraps plural : fragments of discarded or leftover food
2
a
: a small detached piece
a scrap of paper
b
: a fragment of something written, printed, or spoken
scraps of conversation
c
: the least bit
not a scrap of evidence
3
scraps plural : cracklings
4
a
: fragments of stock removed in manufacturing
b
: manufactured articles or parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material for reprocessing
especially : waste and discarded metal

scrap

2 of 4

verb (1)

scrapped; scrapping

transitive verb

1
: to convert into scrap
2
: to abandon or get rid of as no longer of enough worth or effectiveness to retain
scrap outworn methods

scrap

3 of 4

noun (2)

: fight

scrap

4 of 4

verb (2)

scrapped; scrapping
Choose the Right Synonym for scrap

discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of.

discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster.

shed a bad habit
finally sloughed off the depression

scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways
would junk our educational system

Examples of scrap in a Sentence

Noun (1) only a scrap of silk was left on the sewing table after they had finished the project a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor brushed away a scrap of lint the rest of this stuff is just scrap, so sweep it up and throw it away Verb (1) we've decided to scrap the second car we scrapped our plans to go to Paris, and set out the next day for Prague Noun (2) the state legislature's annual scrap over the budget several drunken revelers were involved in a scrap outside of the nightclub Verb (2) the young couple often scrapped about money and their very disparate spending habits
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Farm waste such as chicken manure, weeds, and other scraps are transformed into nutrient-rich organic fertilizers. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 But back in 2010, a spate of thefts of the covers for scrap metal in Turkey meant that an alternative, with equally strong material needed to be used to secure them. Lucy Handley, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
North Carolina’s bill was met with such anger on behalf of the LGBTQ community that some elements were quickly scrapped, and the remainder was left to lapse in 2020. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Jan. 2025 After Jean Smart posted on Instagram that Hollywood needs to scrap awards shows and figure out how to generate revenue for fire victims instead, former lead stage manager Debbie Williams had a few choice words for the Hacks star via Facebook. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for scrap 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse skrap scraps; akin to Old Norse skrapa to scrape

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrap was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scrap

Cite this Entry

“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrap. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

scrap

1 of 4 noun
1
plural : pieces of discarded or leftover food
2
: a small bit : fragment
3
: things discarded as worthless

scrap

2 of 4 verb
scrapped; scrapping
1
: to break up into scrap
2
: to discard as worthless

scrap

3 of 4 noun

scrap

4 of 4 verb
scrapped; scrapping
scrapper noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English scrap "discarded bits of food"; of Norse origin

Noun

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on scrap

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