English Meaning & Definitions
To rub or scrape the skin with one's fingernails or claws, usually to relieve itching.
- “The dog stopped to scratch its ear behind the fence.”
- “Try not to scratch the mosquito bite, or it will get infected.”
A shallow, thin mark or cut on a surface caused by a sharp or rough object.
- “There is a deep scratch on the hood of my car from the hail.”
- “The antique table was covered in tiny scratches from years of use.”
To start from the very beginning without any prior preparation or resources.
- “We had no funding, so we had to build the company from scratch.”
- “She decided to bake the cake from scratch rather than using a mix.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “scratch”.
Originating in the late 13th century, the word is likely a blend of the Middle English 'scratten' (to scratch) and 'cracchen' (to scratch or claw). It is of Germanic origin, related to Middle Dutch 'kratsen' and German 'kratzen', reflecting an onomatopoeic quality mimicking the sound of nails dragging across a surface.
Think of a cat's claws: 'S-cratch' sounds like the harsh sound a cat makes when it claws at a sofa.
Frequently Asked Questions About “scratch”
1. What is the meaning of “scratch” in English?
In English, scratch (verb) is defined as: “To rub or scrape the skin with one's fingernails or claws, usually to relieve itching.”.
2. How do you use “scratch” in a sentence?
“The dog stopped to scratch its ear behind the fence.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “scratch”?
Originating in the late 13th century, the word is likely a blend of the Middle English 'scratten' (to scratch) and 'cracchen' (to scratch or claw). It is of Germanic origin, related to Middle Dutch 'kratsen' and German 'kratzen', reflecting an onomatopoeic quality mimicking the sound of nails dragging across a surface.
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