scrap

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
  1. noun
    a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
    synonyms: bit, chip, flake, fleck
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    types:
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    matchwood
    fragments of wood
    exfoliation, scale, scurf
    a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
    scurf
    (botany) a covering that resembles scales or bran that covers some plant parts
    sliver, splinter
    a small thin sharp bit of wood or glass or metal
    dander
    small scales from animal skins or hair or bird feathers that can cause allergic reactions in some people
    dandruff
    loose scales shed from the scalp
    type of:
    fragment
    a piece broken off or cut off of something else
  2. noun
    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:
    piece
    a separate part of a whole
  3. noun
    worthless material that is to be disposed of
    synonyms: garbage, refuse, rubbish, trash
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    scrap metal
    discarded metal suitable for reprocessing
    debris, detritus, dust, junk, rubble
    the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
    litter
    rubbish carelessly dropped or left about (especially in public places)
    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
    scrap iron
    iron to be melted again and reworked
    type of:
    waste, waste material, waste matter, waste product
    any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
  4. verb
    dispose of (something useless or old)
    “scrap your old computer”
    synonyms: junk, trash
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    type of:
    cast aside, cast away, cast out, chuck out, discard, dispose, fling, put away, throw away, throw out, toss, toss away, toss out
    throw or cast away
  5. verb
    make into scrap or refuse
    “scrap the old airplane and sell the parts”
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    type of:
    convert
    change the nature, purpose, or function of something
  6. noun
    the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
    “the unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap”
    synonyms: combat, fight, fighting
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    types:
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    gunfight, gunplay, shootout
    a fight involving shooting small arms with the intent to kill or frighten
    brush, clash, encounter, skirmish
    a minor short-term fight
    close-quarter fighting
    hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters
    dogfight
    a violent fight between dogs (sometimes organized illegally for entertainment and gambling)
    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)
    in-fighting
    conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)
    set-to
    a brief but vigorous fight
    impact, shock
    the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat
    dogfight, hassle, rough-and-tumble, scuffle, tussle
    disorderly fighting
    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
    fistfight, fisticuffs, slugfest
    a fight with bare fists
    banging, battering
    the act of subjecting to strong attack
    beating, whipping
    the act of overcoming or outdoing
    affray, disturbance, fray, ruffle
    a noisy fight
    brawl, free-for-all
    a noisy fight in a crowd
    cut-and-thrust, knife fight, snickersnee
    fighting with knives
    gang fight, rumble
    a fight between rival gangs of adolescents
    single combat
    a fight between two people
    contretemps
    an awkward clash
    punch-up
    a fistfight
    type of:
    battle, conflict, struggle
    an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
  7. verb
    have a disagreement over something
    “These two fellows are always scrapping over something”
    synonyms: altercate, argufy, dispute, quarrel
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    types:
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    brawl, wrangle
    quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
    spat
    engage in a brief and petty quarrel
    polemicise, polemicize, polemise, polemize
    engage in a controversy
    fall out
    have a breach in relations
    type of:
    argue, contend, debate, fence
    have an argument about something
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