Scrap vs. Scrape: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
"Scrap" refers to a small piece or fragment, often of waste material, while "scrape" means to rub or cause to rub by friction, often to remove something from a surface.
Key Differences
"Scrap" denotes a fragment or piece, typically of something discarded or leftover, like a scrap of paper. "Scrape," on the other hand, implies an action of abrasion or rubbing, often to remove something, such as scraping paint off a wall.
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Dec 29, 2023
In a different context, "scrap" can also imply a minor fight or disagreement, while "scrape" can refer to a difficult situation, as in getting into a scrape. Both usages suggest conflict but in different forms.
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Dec 29, 2023
"Scrap" is often used in the context of recycling, indicating reusable material. "Scrape," however, can denote the act of just barely managing or succeeding, as in scraping by or scraping through.
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Dec 29, 2023
From a grammatical perspective, "scrap" functions as both a noun and a verb, while "scrape" is primarily a verb, but can also be a noun describing the result or sound of the scraping action.
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Dec 29, 2023
The etymology of "scrap" traces back to Old Norse, meaning bits or pieces, whereas "scrape" originates from Middle Dutch, implying to scratch or claw.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Sentences
"I found a scrap of paper."
"I had to scrape the ice off."
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Contextual Meaning
Often related to waste or reuse
Implies removing or struggling
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Associated Actions/Contexts
Collecting, discarding
Rubbing, removing, enduring
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Scrap and Scrape Definitions
Scrape
To remove (an outer layer, for example) from a surface by forceful strokes of an edged or rough instrument
Scraped the wallpaper off before painting the wall.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Scrape
To rub (a surface) with considerable pressure, as with an edged instrument or a hard object.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To draw (a hard or abrasive object) forcefully over a surface
Scraped my fingernails down the blackboard.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Discarded waste material, especially metal suitable for reprocessing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To injure the surface of by rubbing against something rough or sharp
Scraped my knee on the sidewalk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To economize or save money by paying attention to very small amounts; scrimp.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A (small) piece; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion.
I found a scrap of cloth to patch the hole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To succeed or manage with difficulty
Scraped through by a narrow margin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Leftover food.
Give the scraps to the animals: any meat to the dogs, and the rest to the hogs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
The crisp substance that remains after drying out animal fat.
Pork scraps
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
(uncountable) Discarded objects (especially metal) that may be dismantled to recover their constituent materials, junk.scrap [4]
That car isn't good for anything but scrap.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A piece of deep-fried batter left over from frying fish, sometimes sold with chips.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
(uncountable) Loose-leaf tobacco of a low grade, such as sweepings left over from handling higher grades.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(ambitransitive) To draw (an object, especially a sharp or angular one), along (something) while exerting pressure.
She scraped the wooden plate with her fingernails.
That car often scrapes the shallowest of humps because of its low ground clearance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A Hispanic criminal, especially a Mexican or one affiliated with the Sureno gang.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(transitive) To remove (something) by drawing an object along in this manner.
Scrape the chewing gum off with a knife.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(transitive) To injure or damage by rubbing across a surface.
She tripped on a rock and scraped her knee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A fight, tussle, skirmish.
We got in a little scrap over who should pay the bill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(transitive) To barely manage to achieve.
I scraped a pass in the exam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(transitive) To collect or gather, especially without regard to the quality of what is chosen.
Just use whatever you can scrape together.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(computing) To extract data by automated means from a format not intended to be machine-readable, such as a screenshot or a formatted web page.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(intransitive) To occupy oneself with getting laboriously.
He scraped and saved until he became rich.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(ambitransitive) To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or similar instrument.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(intransitive) To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow].
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To express disapprobation of (a play, etc.) or to silence (a speaker) by drawing the feet back and forth upon the floor; usually with down.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Something scraped off; hence, a small piece; a bit; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion.
I have no materials - not a scrap.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
A broad, shallow injury left by scraping (rather than a cut or a scratch).
He fell on the sidewalk and got a scrape on his knee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Specifically, a fragment of something written or printed; a brief excerpt; an unconnected extract.
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Scrape
(slang) A fight, especially a fistfight without weapons.
He got in a scrape with the school bully.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
The crisp substance that remains after drying out animal fat; as, pork scraps.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
An awkward set of circumstances.
I'm in a bit of a scrape — I've no money to buy my wife a birthday present.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A small fragment of something broken off from the whole;
A bit of rock caught him in the eye
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
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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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
The act of fighting; any contest or struggle;
A fight broke out at the hockey game
There was fighting in the streets
The unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Dispose of (something useless or old);
Trash these old chairs
Junk an old car
Scrap your old computer
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
Butter laid on bread in the thinnest possible manner, as though laid on and scraped off again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
Have a disagreement over something;
We quarreled over the question as to who discovered America
These tewo fellows are always scrapping over something
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
(heraldry) A diminutive of the bend (especially of the bend sinister) which is half its width.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To rub over the surface of (something) with a sharp or rough instrument; to rub over with something that roughens by removing portions of the surface; to grate harshly over; to abrade; to make even, or bring to a required condition or form, by moving the sharp edge of an instrument breadthwise over the surface with pressure, cutting away excesses and superfluous parts; to make smooth or clean; as, to scrape a bone with a knife; to scrape a metal plate to an even surface.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To remove by rubbing or scraping (in the sense above).
I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrap
A small piece or fragment.
She kept a scrap of the wedding dress fabric.
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Dec 29, 2023
Scrape
To collect by, or as by, a process of scraping; to gather in small portions by laborious effort; hence, to acquire avariciously and save penuriously; - often followed by together or up; as, to scrape money together.
The prelatical party complained that, to swell a number the nonconformists did not choose, but scrape, subscribers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To express disapprobation of, as a play, or to silence, as a speaker, by drawing the feet back and forth upon the floor; - usually with down.
He tried to scrape acquaintance with her, but failed ignominiously.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To rub over the surface of anything with something which roughens or removes it, or which smooths or cleans it; to rub harshly and noisily along.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To occupy one's self with getting laboriously; as, he scraped and saved until he became rich.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or like instrument.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
The act of scraping; also, the effect of scraping, as a scratch, or a harsh sound; as, a noisy scrape on the floor; a scrape of a pen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
A drawing back of the right foot when bowing; also, a bow made with that accompaniment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
A disagreeable and embarrassing predicament out of which one can not get without undergoing, as it were, a painful rubbing or scraping; a perplexity; a difficulty.
The too eager pursuit of this his old enemy through thick and thin has led him into many of these scrapes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
A harsh noise made by scraping;
The scrape of violin bows distracted her
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Scrape
A deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility);
All that bowing and scraping did not impress him
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Oct 19, 2023
Scrape
Gather (money or other resources) together over time;
She had scraped together enough money for college
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Scrape
Bruise, cut, or injure the skin or the surface of;
The boy skinned his knee when he fell
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Scrape
Strike against an object;
She stubbed her one's toe in the dark and now it's broken
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Scrape
To rub or drag over a surface.
She had to scrape the mud off her shoes.
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Dec 29, 2023
Scrape
A difficult or embarrassing situation.
She found herself in a financial scrape.
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Dec 29, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "scrap" mean a small fight?
Yes, it often refers to a minor physical or verbal altercation.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does "scrape" have a noun form?
Yes, it can refer to the act or sound of scraping.
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Dec 29, 2023
Are "scraps" always related to waste?
Often, but they can also be usable leftover pieces.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can "scrap" refer to something valuable?
Yes, in contexts like scrap gold or scrap metal.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is "scrape" always about physical rubbing?
No, it can also refer to managing a situation narrowly.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is "scrape by" a common phrase?
Yes, it means to manage with minimal resources.
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Dec 29, 2023
What does "scrape through" mean?
It means to barely succeed or manage in a situation.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is "scrape" used in automotive contexts?
Yes, like scraping off rust or paint.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does "scrap" have a negative connotation?
Sometimes, especially when referring to waste or fights.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does "scrape" always imply difficulty?
Often, but not always, especially in physical contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "scrap" have a positive meaning?
Yes, in contexts of reuse or resourcefulness.
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Dec 29, 2023
Does "scrap" have an emotional connotation?
It can, especially in phrases like "scraps of memory."
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Dec 29, 2023
Is "scrap" related to recycling?
Often, particularly in terms of scrap metal or paper.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can "scrap" be used in a creative context?
Yes, like using scraps in art or crafts.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can "scrape" refer to a close escape?
Yes, as in escaping a situation narrowly.
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Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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