Meaning & use

scratch

verb·Everyday

To rub or drag one's nails or a sharp object across a surface, often leaving a mark or relieving an itch.

See it in a sentence

The cat scratched the furniture until they finally bought it a scratching post.

He scratched his head, trying to remember where he had left his keys.

A note on using this word

Also used idiomatically, as in start from scratch, meaning from the beginning, or scratch an event, meaning to cancel it.

Words with a similar meaning

scrapeclaw

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To cancel or withdraw something, such as an event or plan.

Organizers scratched the outdoor concert due to the storm warning.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “scratch”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.