Meaning & use
scavenged
Last updated
“scavenged” is a form of “scavenge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Searched for and collected useful things that others have thrown away or left behind.
Grammar: Can take an object: 'scavenged food'. Can also be used without an object: 'They scavenged for food.'
Patterns
- scavenge for something
- scavenge something from something
After the storm, people scavenged for wood to build shelters.
The children scavenged bottles and cans to sell for recycling.
He scavenged parts from old machines to repair his bicycle.
verbintransitivebiology
(Of an animal) fed on dead animals or discarded food.
Grammar: No object; often used for wild animals.
Patterns
- scavenge on something
- scavenge for food
Foxes scavenged around the campsite at night.
The vultures scavenged on the remains of a deer.
Word forms
| base form | scavenge |
|---|---|
| third person singular | scavenges |
| past tense | scavenged |
| past participle | scavenged |
| -ing form | scavenging |
Common combinations
- scavenge for food
- The refugees scavenged for food in the ruined market.
- scavenge parts
- They scavenged parts from broken cars.
- scavenge through something
- She scavenged through the trash for anything useful.
- scavenge a living
- Some people scavenge a living from what others discard.
Synonyms and how they differ
- forage
- Foraging is usually for food in nature; scavenging often involves searching through waste.
- rummage
- Rummaging means searching untidily; scavenging adds the idea of finding useful items to keep.
- salvage
- Salvaging is saving things from damage or loss, often officially; scavenging is more informal and opportunistic.
Opposites
Word family
- scavenger noun
- A person or animal that scavenges.
- scavenging noun
- The activity of searching for and collecting discarded items.
Commonly confused: scavenged or scavenger? scavenged or scrounged?
scavenged vs scavenger
'Scavenger' is a noun for the person or animal; 'scavenged' is the past tense verb.
scavenged vs scrounged
Scrounging means getting something by asking or borrowing without paying; scavenging means finding discarded things.
Practice
The raccoons ___ through the garbage cans last night.
Choose one answer.
'Scavenged' is the past tense, which fits 'last night'. 'Scavenge' is the base form, 'scavenging' needs a helping verb, and 'scavenges' is present tense for he/she/it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scavenged”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.