scrap
Other forms: scraps; scrapped; scrapping
A scrap is a little leftover bit of something. You might jot down notes on a scrap of paper, or you might toss a scrap of food to your happy dog.
A scrap is typically a small item that originally was part of something larger, like a scrap of fabric that was once part of a larger piece. Scrap can also describe something that’s no longer useful. For example, you might take scrap metal to the recycling center. A final meaning of the noun scrap is "fight," as in "I got into a scrap with my brother." Scrap also has a verb form that means "discard." When you scrap your plan to move to the Bahamas, that means you’re abandoning the plan.
Definitions of scrap
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a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
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matchwood
fragments of wood
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exfoliation, scale, scurf
a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
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scurf
(botany) a covering that resembles scales or bran that covers some plant parts
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sliver, splinter
a small thin sharp bit of wood or glass or metal
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dander
small scales from animal skins or hair or bird feathers that can cause allergic reactions in some people
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dandruff
loose scales shed from the scalp
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type of:
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fragment
a piece broken off or cut off of something else
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a small piece of something that is left over after the rest has been used“she jotted it on a scrap of paper”“there was not a scrap left”
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type of:
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piece
a separate part of a whole
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piece
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worthless material that is to be disposed of
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scrap metal
discarded metal suitable for reprocessing
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debris, detritus, dust, junk, rubble
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
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litter
rubbish carelessly dropped or left about (especially in public places)
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slack
dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve
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scrap iron
iron to be melted again and reworked
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type of:
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waste, waste material, waste matter, waste product
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
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dispose of (something useless or old)
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make into scrap or refuse“scrap the old airplane and sell the parts”
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type of:
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convert
change the nature, purpose, or function of something
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convert
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the act of fighting; any contest or struggle“the unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap”
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gunfight, gunplay, shootout
a fight involving shooting small arms with the intent to kill or frighten
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brush, clash, encounter, skirmish
a minor short-term fight
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close-quarter fighting
hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters
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dogfight
a violent fight between dogs (sometimes organized illegally for entertainment and gambling)
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fencing
the art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules)
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faction, in-fighting
conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)
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set-to
a brief but vigorous fight
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impact, shock
the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat
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dogfight, hassle, rough-and-tumble, scuffle, tussle
disorderly fighting
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affaire d'honneur, duel
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
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fistfight, fisticuffs, slugfest
a fight with bare fists
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banging, battering
the act of subjecting to strong attack
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beating, whipping
the act of overcoming or outdoing
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affray, disturbance, fray, ruffle
a noisy fight
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brawl, free-for-all
a noisy fight in a crowd
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cut-and-thrust, knife fight, snickersnee
fighting with knives
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gang fight, rumble
a fight between rival gangs of adolescents
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single combat
a fight between two people
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contretemps
an awkward clash
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punch-up
a fistfight
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have a disagreement over something“These two fellows are always scrapping over something”
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brawl, wrangle
quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
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spat
engage in a brief and petty quarrel
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polemicise, polemicize, polemise, polemize
engage in a controversy
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fall out
have a breach in relations
Pronunciation
US
/skræp/
UK
/skræp/
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘scrap'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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