scratch — to damage a surface by rubbing something sharp against it
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to damage a surface by rubbing something sharp against it
Pronunciation (IPA): /skrætʃ/
Example Sentences
- My cat scratched my favorite sofa again - I'm starting a scratched furniture museum!
- He scratched his lottery ticket and won enough money to buy more lottery tickets.
- The chef had to cook everything from scratch when the prepared ingredients were ruined.
scratch
VERB[/skrætʃ/]
to damage a surface by rubbing something sharp against it
The cat scratches deep marks into the leather armchair
Perfect patch, perfect match, but one scratch ruins the catch!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Scratch derives from Middle English 'scracchen', which is related to Old Norse 'skratta' meaning 'to scrape' or 'to scratch'. The word has onomatopoetic characteristics, originating from the mimicry of animals scratching with their claws.
Breakdown
Old Norse 'skratta' (to scrape/scratch) → Middle English 'scracchen' → Modern English 'scratch'. The term evolved through the adoption of Scandinavian vocabulary into Middle English, retaining its imitative sound quality.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat scratched my favorite sofa again - I'm starting a scratched furniture museum!”
“He scratched his lottery ticket and won enough money to buy more lottery tickets.”
“The chef had to cook everything from scratch when the prepared ingredients were ruined.”
“Don't scratch that itch - you'll only make it worse!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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