scratch

¹

[ skrach ]

verb (used with object)

1. to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough:

   to scratch one's hand on a nail.

2. to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.:

   to scratch the burs off one's coat.

3. to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.
4. to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface:

   to scratch a match on the sidewalk.

5. to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed by out ):

   Scratch out the third name on the list.

6. to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.
7. U.S. Politics.
   1. to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
   2. to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.
8. to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface:

   She scratched her initials on the glass.

9. to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.

verb (used without object)

1. to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.
2. to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.
3. to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.
4. to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty:

   We scratched along that year on very little money.

5. to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.
6. (in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.
7. Billiards, Pool. to make a shot that results in a penalty, especially to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.

noun

1. a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching:

   three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.

2. a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.
3. an act of scratching.
4. the slight grating sound caused by scratching.
5. the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.
6. Billiards, Pool.
   1. a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
   2. a fluke or lucky shot.
7. (in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.
8. Baseball. scratch hit.
9. scratch wig.
10. Slang. money; cash.

adjective

1. used for hasty writing, notes, etc.:

   scratch paper.

2. without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.
3. Informal. done by or dependent on chance:

   a scratch shot.

4. Informal. gathered hastily and indiscriminately:

   a scratch crew.

5. done or made from scratch:

   a scratch cake.

Scratch

²

[ skrach ]

noun

1. Old Scratch; Satan.

scratch

/ skrætʃ /

verb

1. to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument
2. often foll byat, out, off, etc to scrape (the surface of something), as with claws, nails, etc
3. to scrape (the surface of the skin) with the nails, as to relieve itching
4. to chafe or irritate (a surface, esp the skin)
5. to make or cause to make a grating sound; scrape
6. trsometimes foll byout to erase by or as if by scraping
7. tr to write or draw awkwardly
8. intrsometimes foll byalong to earn a living, manage, etc, with difficulty
9. to withdraw (an entry) from a race, match, etc
10. intr billiards snooker
    1. to make a shot resulting in a penalty
    2. to make a lucky shot
11. tr to cancel (the name of a candidate) from a party ticket in an election
12. informal.
    introften foll byfor to be struggling or in difficulty, esp in earning a living
13. to treat (a subject) superficially
14. you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
    if you will help me, I will help you

noun

1. the act of scratching
2. a slight injury
3. a mark made by scratching
4. a slight grating sound
5. in a handicap sport
   1. a competitor or the status of a competitor who has no allowance or receives a penalty
   2. ( as modifier )

      a scratch player

6. the time, initial score, etc, of such a competitor
7. 1. the line from which competitors start in a race
   2. (formerly) a line drawn on the floor of a prize ring at which the contestants stood to begin or continue fighting
8. a withdrawn competitor in a race, etc
9. billiards snooker
   1. a shot that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball enters the pocket
   2. a lucky shot
10. poultry food
11. from scratch informal.
    from the very beginning
12. up to scratch informal.
    usually used with a negative up to standard

adjective

1. sport (of a team) assembled hastily
2. (in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty
3. informal.
   rough or haphazard

Derived Forms

• ˈscratchiness, noun
• ˈscratchy, adjective
• ˈscratchily, adverb

Other Words From

• scratcha·ble adjective
• scratcha·bly adverb
• scratcher noun
• scratchless adjective
• scratchlike adjective
• un·scratcha·ble adjective
• un·scratched adjective
• un·scratching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scratch¹

1425–75; late Middle English scracche (v.), blend of Middle English scratte to scratch, and cracche to scratch; cognate with Middle Dutch cratsen

Origin of scratch²

1730–40; alteration of scrat hermaphrodite ( late Middle English scratte; compare Old English scritta (once), which may be an error for *scratta ); cognate with Old Norse skratti devil, goblin, wizard, Old High German skraz wood-demon

Word History and Origins

Origin of scratch¹

C15: via Old French escrater from Germanic; compare Old High German krazzōn (German kratzen ); related to Old French gratter to grate ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. from scratch,
   1. from the very beginning or starting point.
   2. from nothing; without resources:

      After the depression he started another business from scratch.

2. up to scratch, in conformity with a certain standard; adequate; satisfactory:

   The local symphony orchestra has improved this year, but it is still not up to scratch.

More idioms and phrases containing scratch

• from scratch
• up to par (scratch)

Example Sentences

She’s used to getting scratched and clawed under the basket, but what has changed over time is her response, as head coach Cori Close has noticed.

From Los Angeles Times

These figures only scratch the surface, as many victims don’t report such crimes.

From BBC

Whatever his intention, for his safety and to discourage other former champions, hopefully the itch to get back in the ring has been scratched.

From BBC

“Did you see how my racket scratched my back?”

From Los Angeles Times

"If Donald Trump says 'Jump three feet high and scratch your heads,' we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads," he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• claw
• etch
• graze
• rub
• scrape
• scrawl
• scribble

Scratch Vs. Itch

What’s the difference between scratch and itch?

To scratch something is to scrape it or rub it. An itch is a feeling of irritation on the skin, often one that makes you want to scratch it. The word itch can also be used as a verb meaning to have this sensation (as in My leg itches) or to cause to itch (as in The tag on my shirt keeps itching me).

Itch also has some more figurative meanings as both a noun and a verb.

The reason you looked this up, though, is because itch is sometimes informally used to mean the same thing as scratch, as in Try not to itch your mosquito bites—it will only make them itchier! Language purists are often itching to clarify that you scratch an itch, but this verb use of itch is quite common.

As a noun, the word scratch means something different—a cut or scrape, typically a minor one caused by something having scratched the skin, as in I got a few scratches from the thornbush. 

Here’s an example of scratch and itch used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: I know your rash itches, but don’t scratch your itch so hard—you’ll leave a scratch on your arm!

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between scratch and itch.

Quiz yourself on scratch vs. itch!

Should scratch or itch be used in the following sentence?

This new lotion makes me _____—I hope I’m not allergic to it.