Scavenger

/ˈskævɪn(d)ʒər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An organism that feeds on carrion, refuse, or other organic matter.

The hyena is known as a scavenger, often feeding on the remains of animals killed by predators.

A person who collects or searches through waste for useful items.

The scavenger rummaged through the garbage bins, hoping to find something valuable.

A person or thing that scavenges.

The city hired a scavenger to clean up the litter in the park.

A chemical agent that removes unwanted particles from a reaction mixture.

In chemical processes, a scavenger can be used to eliminate toxins produced during the reaction.

Middle English: from Old French 'escavanger', from 'escavare', meaning 'to remove' or 'to clean out'.

scavenger hunt

A game in which participants search for specific items in a certain area.

urban scavenger

A person who collects discarded items in a city environment.

carrion

The decaying flesh of dead animals.

decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead or decaying organisms.

A person who takes things from trash or junk.

He's a scavenger, always picking through the bins for something useful.

Someone who benefits from others' leftovers.

At the party, she was a scavenger, eating whatever was left on the table.