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scratch

  • verb
  • skrăch

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

Example

“Could you please scratch my back?”

Other meanings

  1. To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.

    “I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.”

  2. To irritate someone's skin with one's unshaven beard when kissing.

Synonyms

  • rub

Related words

  • head-scratching
  • scratch a living
  • scratch an itch
  • scratch one's head
  • scratch the surface
  • scratcher
  • scratchpad
  • scratch up
  • scratch the itch
  • scratchy
  • scratch and sniff
  • scratch below the surface

Example sentences

  • “What are the symptoms of cat scratch fever?”

    Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0

  • “Can I have some scratch paper?”

    Tatoeba · ddnktr · CC0

Word history

From Middle English "scratten" (to scratch).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “scratch” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.