- to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough: to scratch one's hand on a nail.
- to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.: to scratch the burs off one's coat.
- to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.
- to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface: to scratch a match on the sidewalk.
- to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed by out): Scratch out the third name on the list.
- to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.
- U.S. Politics.
- to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
- to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.
- to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface: She scratched her initials on the glass.
- to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.
- to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.
- to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.
- to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.
- to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty: We scratched along that year on very little money.
- to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.
- (in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.
- to make a shot that results in a penalty, especially to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
- a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching: three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.
- a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.
- an act of scratching.
- the slight grating sound caused by scratching.
- the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.
- Billiards, Pool.
- a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
- a fluke or lucky shot.
- (in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.
- scratch hit.
- scratch wig.
- money; cash.
- used for hasty writing, notes, etc.: scratch paper.
- without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.
- done by or dependent on chance: a scratch shot.
- gathered hastily and indiscriminately: a scratch crew.
- done or made from scratch: a scratch cake.
- from scratch,
- from the very beginning or starting point.
- from nothing; without resources: After the depression he started another business from scratch.
- in conformity with a certain standard; adequate; satisfactory: The local symphony orchestra has improved this year, but it is still not up to scratch.
- Old Scratch; Satan.
- to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument
- to scrape (the surface of something), as with claws, nails, etc
- to scrape (the surface of the skin) with the nails, as to relieve itching
- to chafe or irritate (a surface, esp the skin)
- to make or cause to make a grating sound; scrape
- to erase by or as if by scraping
- to write or draw awkwardly
- to earn a living, manage, etc, with difficulty
- to withdraw (an entry) from a race, match, etc
- (intr) billiards snooker
- to make a shot resulting in a penalty
- to make a lucky shot
- to cancel (the name of a candidate) from a party ticket in an election
- to be struggling or in difficulty, esp in earning a living
- to treat (a subject) superficially
- if you will help me, I will help you
- the act of scratching
- a slight injury
- a mark made by scratching
- a slight grating sound
- (in a handicap sport)
- a competitor or the status of a competitor who has no allowance or receives a penalty
- (as modifier)
- the time, initial score, etc, of such a competitor
- the line from which competitors start in a race
- (formerly) a line drawn on the floor of a prize ring at which the contestants stood to begin or continue fighting
- a withdrawn competitor in a race, etc
- billiards snooker
- a shot that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball enters the pocket
- a lucky shot
- poultry food
- from the very beginning
- up to standard
- (of a team) assembled hastily
- (in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty
- rough or haphazard