Meaning & Definition of Scratch in English

1. An abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off

2. A depression scratched or carved into a surface

3. Informal terms for money

4. A competitor who has withdrawn from competition

5. A line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game

6. Dry mash for poultry

7. A harsh noise made by scraping

• "The scrape of violin bows distracted her"

8. Poor handwriting

9. (golf) a handicap of zero strokes

• "A golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course"

10. An indication of damage

1. Cause friction

• "My sweater scratches"

2. Cut the surface of

• Wear away the surface of

3. Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching

• "Don't scratch your insect bites!"

4. Postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled

• "Call off the engagement"

• "Cancel the dinner party"

• "We had to scrub our vacation plans"

• "Scratch that meeting--the chair is ill"

5. Remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line

• "Please strike this remark from the record"

• "Scratch that remark"

6. Gather (money or other resources) together over time

• "She had scraped together enough money for college"

• "They scratched a meager living"

7. Carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface

• "Engrave a pen"

• "Engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's"

• "The lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree"