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scratch

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

skɹæt͡ʃCurrent114 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

Could you please scratch my back?
Origin: From , of origin. Probably a blend of and cracchen. More at scrat and cratch. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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US
#2·Apr 27, 2026US

To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.

I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
For parents

"scratch" means: To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"scratch" means: To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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US
#3·Apr 27, 2026US

To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).

Sometimes I lost track of them and had to hunt round in a circle, thrusting through sharp-scented bushes, scratching myself on various plants which were still new to me: resinaceous rock-roses, juniper, ilex, yellow and white asphodel.
Heard in the wild
  • “Train Your Own LLM from Scratch Comments Origin | Interest | Match”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Train Your Own LLM from Scratch view on hacker news”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Train Your Own LLM from Scratch https://github.com/angelos-p/llm-from-scratch https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48017948”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Train Your Own LLM from Scratch”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “are you going to scratch that itch today? give in to that urge and just send for my ass. what a simple release 😈 - findom findomaus findomme finsub”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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