scrap

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskrap

often attributive

scraps plural : fragments of discarded or leftover food

: a small detached piece

a scrap of paper

: a fragment of something written, printed, or spoken

scraps of conversation

: the least bit

not a scrap of evidence

scraps plural : cracklings

: fragments of stock removed in manufacturing

: manufactured articles or parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material for reprocessing

especially : waste and discarded metal

scrap

2 of 4

verb (1)

scrapped; scrapping

transitive verb

: to convert into scrap

: to abandon or get rid of as no longer of enough worth or effectiveness to retain

scrap outworn methods

scrap

3 of 4

noun (2)

: fight

scrap

4 of 4

verb (2)

scrapped; scrapping

intransitive verb

: quarrel, fight

Choose the Right Synonym for scrap

discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of.

discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

discard old clothes

cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

cast off her friends

shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster.

shed a bad habit

finally sloughed off the depression

scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

scrap all the old ways

would junk our educational system

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse skrap scraps; akin to Old Norse skrapa to scrape

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of scrap was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrap. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

scrap

1 of 4 noun

ˈskrap

plural : pieces of discarded or leftover food

: a small bit : fragment

: things discarded as worthless

scrap

2 of 4 verb

scrapped; scrapping

: to break up into scrap

: to discard as worthless

scrap

3 of 4 noun

: quarrel entry 1 sense 2, fight

scrap

4 of 4 verb

scrapped; scrapping

: quarrel entry 2 sense 2, fight

scrapper noun

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scrap

noun (1)

verb (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

Synonyms

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near scrap

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition