scratch meaning and definition

SCRATCH noun

Definition of scratch (noun)

1. an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
   • synonyms: abrasion, excoriation, scrape
2. a depression scratched or carved into a surface
   • synonyms: dent, incision, prick, slit
3. informal terms for money
   • synonyms: boodle, bread, cabbage, clams, dinero, dough, gelt, kale, lettuce, lolly, loot, lucre, moolah, pelf, shekels, simoleons, sugar, wampum
4. a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
5. a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
   • synonyms: scratch line, start, starting line
6. dry mash for poultry
   • synonyms: chicken feed
7. a harsh noise made by scraping
   • "the scrape of violin bows distracted her"
   • synonyms: scrape, scraping, scratching
8. poor handwriting
   • synonyms: cacography, scrawl, scribble
9. (golf) a handicap of zero strokes
   • "a golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course"
10. an indication of damage
    • synonyms: mark, scar, scrape

SCRATCH verb

Definition of scratch (verb)

1. cause friction
   • "my sweater scratches"
   • synonyms: chafe, fray, fret, rub
2. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
   • synonyms: scrape, scratch up
3. scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
   • "Don't scratch your insect bites!"
   • synonyms: itch, rub
4. postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
   • "Call off the engagement"; "cancel the dinner party"; "we had to scrub our vacation plans"; "scratch that meeting--the chair is ill"
   • synonyms: call off, cancel, scrub
5. remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
   • "Please strike this remark from the record"; "scratch that remark"
   • synonyms: excise, expunge, strike
6. gather (money or other resources) together over time
   • "She had scraped together enough money for college"; "they scratched a meager living"
   • synonyms: come up, scrape, scrape up
7. carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
   • "engrave a pen"; "engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's"; "the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree"
   • synonyms: engrave, grave, inscribe