scavenge — to search for and collect discarded items or food; to feed on dead or decaying matter
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to search for and collect discarded items or food; to feed on dead or decaying matter
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈskævɪndʒ/
Example Sentences
- The zombie apocalypse survivor had to scavenge the abandoned mall for supplies.
- My mom can scavenge a five-course meal from seemingly empty leftovers.
- Vultures scavenge on the remains of dead animals in the desert.
scavenge
VERB[/ˈskævɪndʒ/]
to search for and collect discarded items or food; to feed on dead or decaying matter

Raccoon searching through garbage for food

Scavenge for advantage, avoid the damage!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Scavenge emerged in the 16th century from Middle English, originally meaning 'to clean or remove.' The word developed its modern sense from the practices of urban scavengers who collected useful items while clearing street refuse.
Breakdown
Derived from the noun scavenger (street cleaner), with the verbal suffix -age transforming it into a verb denoting the action of searching through discarded materials for salvageable items.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The zombie apocalypse survivor had to scavenge the abandoned mall for supplies.”
“My mom can scavenge a five-course meal from seemingly empty leftovers.”
“Vultures scavenge on the remains of dead animals in the desert.”
“During the economic crisis, many people had to scavenge for recyclable materials to earn money.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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