Scrap Meaning
/ˈskɹæp/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA (small) piece; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion.
nounA (small) piece; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion., The smallest amount.
Sentence Examples
Put the plan on the scrap heap.
There wasn't a scrap of truth in the statement.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the accident, only a tiny ____ of metal remained from the car.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She kept every ____ of fabric left over from her sewing projects to use later.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English scrappe, from Old Norse skrap, from skrapa (“to scrape, scratch”), from Proto-Germanic *skrapōną, *skrepaną (“to scrape, scratch”), from Proto-Indo-European *skreb-, *skrep- (“to engrave”). Cf. Swedish skräp (“garbage”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I have no materials — not a scrap."
— 1852, Thomas De Quincey, “Sir William Hamilton”, in Hogg's Instructor:
"“I don't mind anything. I don't mind your being technically German a scrap. All I think is that it was a little—well, perhaps a little excessive to marry another German when you had done it once already. […]”"
— 1920, [Elizabeth von Arnim], In the Mountains, Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, page 188:
"“We need a set of wheels to carry out this plan of yours.”
“Queenie?”
“We need her now more than ever.”
“Will she still be in the field where we left her?”
“No, no, no. The fuzz will have towed her away by now.”
“Where will she be, then?”
“They will have sold the old girl off for scrap.”"
— 2017, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Bad Dad, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:
"The party plans to scrap the military-drafted constitution, and bring the army's many business interests under the Ministry of Finance."
— 2023 May 29, Jonathan Head, “Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai election upstart who vows to be different”, in BBC:
""The wire is probably at the station."
"True; you said 10.45. Well, what do you propose doing now?"
"Scrapping all our arrangements and recovering the papers without arresting Slater.""
— 1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the accident, only a tiny ____ of metal remained from the car.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She kept every ____ of fabric left over from her sewing projects to use later.