Scratch Meaning
/skɹæt͡ʃ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
verbTo rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
Sentence Examples
Don't scratch your mosquito bite. It'll get inflamed.
The cat will scratch you if you provoke it.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The angry cat will ____ the wooden floor with its sharp claws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had to ____ the surface of the card to reveal the prize underneath.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English scracchen, of uncertain origin. Probably a blend of Middle English scratten (“to scratch”) and cracchen (“to scratch”). More at scrat and cratch.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Then riſing with Aurora’s Light, / The Muse invok’d, ſit down to write; / Blot out, correct, inſert, refine, / Enlarge, diminiſh, interline; / Be mindful, when Invention fails, / To ſcratch your Head, and bite your Nails."
— 1733, [Jonathan Swift], On Poetry: A Rapsody, Dublin; London: […] [R. Fleming] [a]nd sold by J. Huggonson, […], →OCLC, pages 7–8, lines 85–90:
"Sometimes I lost track of them and had to hunt round in a circle, thrusting through sharp-scented bushes, scratching myself [translating m’écorchant] on various plants which were still new to me: resinaceous rock-roses, juniper, ilex, yellow and white asphodel."
— 1962, Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Peter Green, The Prime of Life, Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, translation of La Force de l'âge, →OCLC, page 77:
"If any of the Labourers can ſcratch out a Pamphlet, they deſire no more; There is no Queſtion offered about the Wit, the Style, the Argument."
— 1714 February, [Jonathan Swift], The Publick Spirit of the Whigs: Set forth in Their Generous Encouragement of the Author of the Crisis: […], London: […] [John Barber] for John Morphew, […], →OCLC, page 1:
"Kerley, 26, is the 2019 World bronze medalist at 400 meters, a distance he is known for and with which he also won the 2017 and 2019 U.S. titles, but surprised the track world by announcing one week ago that he scratched the 400m and would focus on the 100m and 200m in Eugene, Oregon, despite not having raced the 100m between 2015 and 2020."
— 2021 June 21, Brandon Penny, NBC Sports:
"Hurtis-Houairi, in lane three, quickly caught Arron, who was in lane four, winning in 22.80. Arron, who scratched the 100m semis in order to focus on the longer sprint, could only run 23.44."
— 2008 July 26, P-J Vazel, World Athletics:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The angry cat will ____ the wooden floor with its sharp claws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had to ____ the surface of the card to reveal the prize underneath.