scratch
gb/skɹˈæt͡ʃ/ us/skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 7700
karcolás, vakar, vakarózik, megkarcol, töröl, elvet, kihúz, nulláról, az alapoktól, elölről, kaparás, firkál, lefirkant, visszaléptet, kihagy, lóvé
NOUN
A2
1
karcolás
B1
Usage pattern:
a scratch on [something]
The cat left a long scratch on my arm.
A macska hosszú karcolást hagyott a karomon.
There was a small scratch on the car door after the parking accident.
A parkolási koccanás után egy kis karcolás lett az autó ajtaján.
Check the table for any scratches before you buy it.
He fell off his bike but only got a few scratches.
The phone screen is covered in tiny scratches.
Learner examples
I have a scratch on my hand.
Van egy karcolás a kezemen.
There is a scratch on the glass.
Karcolás van az üvegen.
The dog made a scratch on the door.
She saw a scratch on her new bag.
He cleaned the floor to see if it had any scratches.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "wound" or "injury" for very small skin damage. Use "scratch" for light, thin cuts that are not serious. For deeper or more serious damage, words like "cut" or "wound" are better.
Meaning
small cut or surface mark
Collocations
a deep scratch
|a small scratch
|get a scratch
|leave a scratch
|cover in scratches
|scratch marks
Synonyms
nick (A very small cut, often on a hard surface or when shaving; slightly more informal and narrower than "scratch.")
Antonyms
smooth surface (Describes a surface without any cuts or marks, which is the opposite condition of having scratches.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|objects
|body
|daily_life
Definition
A very small, thin cut or mark on skin or on a thing, made when something sharp or rough moves over it.
A very shallow cut or mark on a surface or on the skin, made by something sharp or rough rubbing against it.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to scratch [a body part]
Try not to scratch that mosquito bite, or it will get worse.
Próbáld meg nem vakarni azt a szúnyogcsípést, különben rosszabb lesz.
He absentmindedly scratched his beard while he was thinking.
Gondolkodás közben szórakozottan vakargatta a szakállát.
The dog kept scratching its ear, so we took it to the vet.
She scratched her back against the wall because she couldn’t reach it.
The baby started to cry and scratched at his eyes.
Learner examples
My arm itches, so I scratch it.
Viszket a karom, ezért megvakarom.
The cat scratches itself all the time.
A macska állandóan vakarózik.
Please don’t scratch your face.
He scratches his head when he is thinking.
I want to scratch my leg, but the doctor says no.
Common mistake:
Many learners say *"I itch my arm"* when they mean they are using their hand. In English, "my arm itches" describes the feeling, and "I scratch my arm" is the action you do with your hand.
Meaning
rub itchy skin with fingers
Collocations
scratch an itch
|scratch your head
|scratch your arm
|scratch yourself
|scratch at the door
|scratch like crazy
Synonyms
rub (A more general word for moving your hand over something; it does not always mean because of an itch.)
Antonyms
refrain from scratching (Describes purposely not scratching, which is the opposite action when you feel itchy.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|body
|daily_life
Definition
To move your fingers on your skin because it feels itchy or uncomfortable.
To rub the skin with your fingers or something sharp, usually because it itches or feels irritated.
VERB
B1
3
megkarcol
B1
Usage pattern:
to scratch [something]
Be careful not to scratch the table when you move your laptop.
Vigyázz, nehogy megkarcold az asztalt, amikor arrébb teszed a laptopodat.
She accidentally scratched his glasses with her ring.
Véletlenül megkarcolta a férfi szemüvegét a gyűrűjével.
The keys in his pocket scratched the screen of his phone.
This pan scratches easily, so use a wooden spoon.
He scratched his name into the wet cement.
Learner examples
Do not scratch the car with your bag.
Ne karcold meg az autót a táskáddal.
He scratched the floor with his chair.
Megkarcolta a padlót a székével.
My ring scratched the glass.
The knife can scratch the plate.
Her keys scratched the phone screen.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "scratch" and "scrape." "Scratch" is usually for small, thin lines or light damage. "Scrape" can describe stronger rubbing, often removing a layer of something.
Meaning
damage surface with thin marks
Collocations
scratch the surface
|scratch the paint
|scratch the car
|scratch the floor
|easily scratched
|scratch a DVD
Synonyms
scuff (Often used for marks on shoes or floors; focuses on dull, worn marks rather than thin lines.)
Antonyms
polish (To make a surface smooth and shiny, which is the opposite of marking or damaging it.)
Themes
daily life
|objects
|home
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make small, thin marks on something by rubbing it with something hard or sharp.
To damage a surface slightly by rubbing or scraping it so that thin, shallow lines or marks appear.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to scratch [something] (from [something])
They decided to scratch the final scene from the movie.
Úgy döntöttek, hogy törlik az utolsó jelenetet a filmből.
Due to rain, the organizers scratched two of the outdoor events.
Az eső miatt a szervezők két szabadtéri programot töröltek.
The teacher scratched my name from the list when I said I couldn’t go.
You know what, scratch that idea—we don’t have enough time.
The restaurant scratched several dishes from the menu this year.
Learner examples
We will scratch that plan and make a new one.
Elvetjük ezt a tervet, és kidolgozunk egy újat.
My name was scratched from the list.
A nevemet kihúzták a listáról.
Because of the storm, they scratched the game.
Scratch that; it was a bad idea.
They scratched two questions from the test.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes translate directly from their language and say **"delete the meeting"**. In English, for events or plans we usually say "cancel the meeting" or more informally "scratch the meeting." "Delete" is mostly for computer files or text.
Meaning
remove or cancel something
Collocations
scratch a plan
|scratch an idea
|scratch a name from the list
|scratch the project
|scratch that
|scratch the whole thing
Synonyms
cancel (A more general and common word for deciding something will not happen; "scratch" often suggests quickly removing from a list or plan.)
Antonyms
include (To add something to a list or plan, which is the opposite of removing it.)
Themes
business
|education
|daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take something off a list or plan, or to say that you will not do it now.
To remove something from a plan, list, or document, or to decide not to do something that was planned.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
from scratch
She built her own company from scratch.
A nulláról építette fel a saját cégét.
We had to start from scratch after the files were lost.
Miután elvesztek a fájlok, mindent elölről kellett kezdenünk.
He learned Spanish from scratch in just two years.
The new chef makes all the sauces from scratch.
They redesigned the website from scratch instead of fixing the old one.
Learner examples
I started my English from scratch.
Nulláról kezdtem angolul tanulni.
They built the house from scratch.
A házat az alapoktól építették fel.
She cooked the meal from scratch.
We made the game from scratch.
He learned the program from scratch.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "from scratch" means "again." It really means starting with nothing prepared, not just repeating. "Do it again" is different from "do it from scratch."
Meaning
starting point with nothing done
Collocations
start from scratch
|build from scratch
|make from scratch
|do it from scratch
|back to scratch
Synonyms
zero (Informally used to mean no previous progress or advantage, similar to starting from nothing.)
Antonyms
head start (An advantage at the beginning, which contrasts with having no advantage.)
Themes
work
|learning
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The point where nothing is prepared or ready yet, often used in "from scratch" or "start from scratch".
A situation in which no work has been done and no special advantage exists, used especially in the phrase "from scratch".
NOUN
B2
6
kaparás
B1
Usage pattern:
a scratch at/on [something]
She heard a scratch at the window and went to check.
Kaparást hallott az ablaknál, és odament megnézni.
There was a light scratch on the roof as branches moved in the wind.
Halk kaparás hallatszott a tetőn, ahogy az ágak mozogtak a szélben.
I woke up to the soft scratch of the cat at my bedroom door.
He listened and heard another scratch from the attic.
A sudden scratch on the glass made everyone turn around.
Learner examples
I heard a scratch at the door.
Kaparást hallottam az ajtónál.
There was a small scratch on the window.
Rövid kaparás hallatszott az ablak felől.
We heard a scratch from the next room.
The cat makes a scratch on the wall at night.
He stopped when he heard a scratch behind him.
Meaning
short rough scraping noise
Collocations
hear a scratch
|a scratch at the door
|a faint scratch
|a loud scratch
|a scratching sound
Synonyms
scrape (Can describe a similar rough sound, but also refers more generally to the action of rubbing surfaces together.)
Antonyms
silence (The absence of sound, which is the opposite situation of hearing a scratch.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short, hard sound that happens when something rubs against a surface.
A short, rough noise made by something hard or sharp rubbing against a surface.
VERB
C1
7
Usage pattern:
to scratch [something] (down/out)
He scratched a few notes on the back of an envelope.
Lefirkantott néhány jegyzetet egy boríték hátuljára.
She quickly scratched down the address before she forgot it.
Gyorsan lefirkantotta a címet, mielőtt elfelejtette volna.
I just scratched out a rough plan for the presentation.
The doctor scratched a signature at the bottom of the form.
He scratched a message onto the wall with a nail.
Learner examples
I scratched a note on the paper.
Lefirkantottam egy rövid jegyzetet a papírra.
She scratched down my phone number.
Lefirkantotta a telefonszámomat.
He scratched out a quick list.
The child scratched some words on the desk.
I scratched a short message on the card.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "scratch" in this sense with the more common meaning of damaging a surface. When the object is "note," "address," or "plan," it usually means writing quickly, not physically damaging the paper.
Meaning
write or draw quickly, carelessly
Collocations
scratch a note
|scratch down a phone number
|scratch out a quick letter
|scratch out a rough plan
|scratch something on paper
Synonyms
scribble (Very close in meaning, but "scribble" is more common and clearly informal.)
Antonyms
neatly write (Emphasizes careful, clear writing, the opposite of quick and careless writing.)
Themes
education
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To write something very fast and not neatly, so it may be hard to read.
To write or draw something quickly and carelessly, often with untidy or hard-to-read lines.
VERB
C1
8
Usage pattern:
to scratch [someone/something] (from [an event])
The trainer decided to scratch the horse from the race due to a minor injury.
Az idomár úgy döntött, hogy egy kisebb sérülés miatt visszalépteti a lovat a versenyből.
He was scratched from the final after failing a medical test.
Mivel nem ment át az orvosi vizsgálaton, törölték a döntőből.
Two swimmers were scratched from the event because they arrived late.
The team scratched their star player just minutes before kickoff.
She chose to scratch from the tournament to focus on her studies.
Learner examples
The coach scratched him from the game.
Az edző kihagyta őt a meccsből.
They scratched the horse from the race.
Visszaléptették a lovat a versenyből.
She was scratched from the event after she got sick.
Our team scratched its main player today.
He decided to scratch from the competition.
Common mistake:
Learners may know only "cancel" or "withdraw" for sports events. In sports news, "scratch" is often used specifically for removing an entry from a race or game.
Meaning
withdraw from race or event
Collocations
scratch a horse from the race
|scratch a player from the lineup
|scratch from the event
|forced to scratch
|late scratch
Synonyms
withdraw (A more formal and general term; "scratch" is common in sports contexts, especially in North America.)
Antonyms
enter (To put someone or something into a competition, which is the opposite of removing them.)
Themes
sports
|events
|health
Definition
To say that a person, animal, or team will not join a race or event, usually because of a problem.
To remove a person, animal, or team from a race or competition so that they do not take part, often because of illness, injury, or another problem.
NOUN
C1
SLANG
9
lóvé
B2
I don’t have enough scratch to go on vacation this year.
Nincs elég lóvém ahhoz, hogy idén nyaralni menjek.
They raised some scratch to help pay for the repairs.
Összegyűjtöttek egy kis lóvét, hogy segítsenek kifizetni a javítást.
He’s always looking for extra scratch on the weekends.
She made a little scratch selling old clothes online.
We need some more scratch before we can move out.
Learner examples
He works at night to get some extra scratch.
Éjszaka dolgozik, hogy szerezzen egy kis extra lóvét.
I don’t have the scratch to buy that car.
Nincs annyi lóvém, hogy megvegyem azt az autót.
They need more scratch for the trip.
She saved some scratch for school.
We are low on scratch this month.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize this as slang and might try to use it in formal situations. It is better to use "money" or "cash" in neutral or formal speech.
Meaning
money, usually informal slang
Collocations
short on scratch
|have some scratch
|need a little scratch
|raise some scratch
Synonyms
cash (More common, neutral word for money; "scratch" is slangy and less widely used.)
Antonyms
broke (Slang for having no money, which contrasts with having "scratch.")
Themes
money
|slang
|finance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Informal slang for money.
Money, especially in informal speech and often referring to small amounts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scratch
IPA
GB/skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
US/skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
scratch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scratch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scratch
- Plural: scratch, scratches
Verb
- Base: scratch
- 3rd Person Singular: scratches
- Present Participle: scratching
- Past: scratched
Word family
Forms
scratches
noun
scratching
verb
scratched
verb
Core family
scratchy
adjective
Related words
scratcher
noun
scratchiness
noun
Expressions
make from scratch
1/mˈeɪk fɹˈʌm skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
make using only basic ingredients
To cook or create something using only basic things, not using a mix or ready-made parts.
Examples
- She makes all her sauces from scratch.
- This cake is made from scratch, not from a box mix.
- He loves to make pizza from scratch on the weekend.
scratch around for
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ɚˈaʊnd fɚ/
phrasal verb
informal
look hard for small amount
To try hard to find a small amount of something you need, like money or information.
Examples
- We’re scratching around for enough money to pay the rent.
- Journalists are still scratching around for more details about the deal.
- He scratched around for coins in his pockets.
scratch off
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
rub off a top layer
To remove a thin top layer from something by rubbing it.
Examples
- Scratch off the silver area to see if you’ve won.
- He scratched off the old label before putting on a new one.
- You should scratch off that paint spot with a knife.
scratch out
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
cross out written words
To remove words or a drawing by drawing a line through them.
Examples
- He scratched out the wrong answer and wrote the correct one.
- You can scratch out that sentence; it’s not needed.
- She quickly scratched out his name from the list.
scratch that
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
informal
forget what I just said
Used to say that what you just said should be ignored or cancelled.
Examples
- Let’s meet at six—no, scratch that, make it seven.
- Scratch that, I just found the information I needed.
- I was going to ask you to help, but scratch that, it’s done now.
scratch together
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
informal
collect small amounts with effort
To get or collect small amounts of something, usually money, by using everything you can find.
Examples
- They scratched together enough money for a used car.
- We managed to scratch together the deposit for the apartment.
- She scratched together a few dollars from her purse.
scratch up
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
damage surface with many marks
To damage a surface by making many small scratches on it.
Examples
- The sand will scratch up the floor if you don’t use a mat.
- Be careful not to scratch up the table with your keys.
- His skateboard has really scratched up the driveway.
scratch your head
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ jˈʊɹ hˈɛd/
idiom
be confused and think hard
To feel confused and not sure what to do, often while trying hard to think of an answer.
Examples
- The last question on the test had everyone scratching their heads.
- I’m still scratching my head over how this could happen.
- His explanation left me scratching my head.
start from scratch
1/stˈɑɹt fɹˈʌm skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
begin again with nothing done
To begin doing something with no earlier work, or to begin again as if nothing was done before.
Examples
- We lost the file, so we have to start from scratch.
- He moved to another country and started his career from scratch.
- If this plan fails, we’ll start from scratch and try a different approach.
up to scratch
1/ˈʌp tə skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
idiom
good enough in quality
Good enough; at the level of quality that is needed or expected.
Examples
- If your work isn’t up to scratch, you may have to redo it.
- The hotel room just wasn’t up to scratch, so we complained.
- The new system is finally up to scratch after months of testing.
you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours
1/jˈu skɹˈæt͡ʃ mˈaɪ bˈæk | ˈaɪl skɹˈæt͡ʃ jˈʊɹz/
idiom
informal
mutual help expecting return
If you help me, I will help you, usually because each person wants something.
Examples
- In politics, it’s often a case of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
- He offered to support her project if she supported his—"you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours," he said.
- Their relationship is very much you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
from scratch
1/fɹˈʌm skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
idiom
starting completely new
To start making or doing something without anything prepared before.
Examples
- We built the website from scratch.
- She made the cake from scratch using fresh ingredients.
from scratch
2/fɹˈʌm skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
idiom
start with nothing prepared
To start doing something with no work done before and no special help or advantage.
Examples
- The software was written from scratch using a new programming language.
- She made the bread from scratch instead of using a mix.
- After the hard drive failed, they had to rebuild the database from scratch.
scratch the surface
1/skɹˈæt͡ʃ ðə sˈɚfɪs/
idiom
deal with only a small part
To deal with only a very small or simple part of something, not the whole problem or idea.
Examples
- We have only scratched the surface of this mystery.
- These figures only scratch the surface of the problem.
- This report just scratches the surface of what happened.
- We’ve just scratched the surface of what this technology can do.
- The article scratches the surface but doesn’t explain the causes in detail.