scrap

IPA/skræp/
KK[skrˈæp]IPA/skræp/

scrap — noun

  • scrapsingular
  • scrapsplural

1. old metal, machinery, or vehicles whose original purpose is finished, but whose

1.nounB2
Definition

old metal, machinery, or vehicles whose original purpose is finished, but whose material can be melted down or stripped for parts and reused.

Example

Élise sold her broken washing machine to the scrap yard for fifty euros.

collocation: scrap yard

After the storm, Obi piled up the twisted metal roof sheets to sell as scrap.

uncountable: sell as scrap

Common collocations
  • scrap metal
  • scrap yard
  • scrap dealer
  • scrap value
  • sell for scrap
Synonyms
  • junk

    more general, includes any unwanted items, not specifically metal

  • salvage

    what is recovered for reuse, often from wrecks or fires

Grammar Patterns

scrap metal

for scrap

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable. Frequent collocates: scrap metal, scrap yard, scrap dealer, scrap value.

Common Mistakes

I sold three scraps of iron.
I sold three pieces of scrap iron.
in this sense scrap is uncountable; count it with 'pieces of'.

2. a small bit of paper, fabric, or other material, torn or cut from a larger whole

2.nounB2
Definition

a small bit of paper, fabric, or other material, torn or cut from a larger whole; also the tiniest amount of news, evidence, or other information.

Example

Selim wrote his new phone number on a scrap of paper and slid it across the desk.

pattern: a scrap of paper

Talia stitched scraps of old shirts together to make a colourful quilt for her niece.

plural: scraps of cloth

Common collocations
  • a scrap of paper
  • a scrap of cloth
  • a scrap of evidence
  • a scrap of information
  • not a scrap of
Synonyms
  • piece

    more general, may be any size; 'scrap' implies small and torn from something larger

  • shred

    thinner and longer than a scrap; often used figuratively as 'a shred of evidence'

  • fragment

    more formal, often used of broken or incomplete things

Grammar Patterns

a scrap of [noun]

Usage Note

Frequently in the pattern 'a scrap of X'. With concrete X (paper, cloth, metal) it is a small piece; with abstract X (evidence, information, news, comfort) it means even the smallest amount.

Common Mistakes

I have a scrap news about her.
I have a scrap of news about her.
the noun takes the 'a scrap of X' frame; do not drop 'of'.

3. small bits of food left on plates or in the kitchen after a meal, usually given

3.nounB2
Definition

small bits of food left on plates or in the kitchen after a meal, usually given to animals or thrown out.

Example

Tyler tipped the dinner scraps into a bowl and carried them outside for the chickens.

plural: dinner scraps

Arjun's grandmother saved every kitchen scrap to feed the stray dogs near the temple.

singular within plural: kitchen scrap

Common collocations
  • food scraps
  • kitchen scraps
  • table scraps
  • feed scraps to
Synonyms
  • leftovers

    neutral; can be a proper portion saved for later, not only what is thrown out

  • remains

    more formal; what is left of any meal or thing

Grammar Patterns

scraps of food

food scraps

Usage Note

Normally plural in this sense ('scraps'). Common compounds: food scraps, kitchen scraps, table scraps, dinner scraps.

Common Mistakes

I gave the dog a scrap.
I gave the dog some scraps.
leftover food is normally plural in English.

4. a brief and noisy quarrel or fight, often over something minor; the participants

4.nounC1
Definition

a brief and noisy quarrel or fight, often over something minor; the participants usually calm down quickly afterwards.

Example

Xiu had a quick scrap with her brother about who would sit in the front seat.

pattern: a scrap with [person]

There was a short scrap outside the pub on Saturday night, but no one was badly hurt.

pattern: a short scrap outside [place]

Common collocations
  • have a scrap with
  • get into a scrap
  • a playground scrap
  • scrap over
Synonyms
  • tussle

    physical struggle, usually playful or not serious

  • spat

    small angry quarrel, usually verbal, between people who know each other

  • row

    British informal noisy argument, often louder than a scrap

Grammar Patterns

a scrap with [person]

Usage Note

Informal British and Australian English. Object/topic introduced by 'with' (a person) or 'over/about' (the cause). Implies the fight is quick and not serious.

Common Mistakes

They had a long scrap that lasted for years.
They had a long feud that lasted for years.
'scrap' implies a brief, unimportant fight; use 'feud' or 'dispute' for lasting conflicts.

scrap — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five verbs describe ending something that was planned or started, but they differ in formality and scope. 'Scrap' suggests an active decision to throw out a plan because it is no longer worth keeping, often after some development work. 'Abandon' is the most formal and broadest — you can abandon a place, person, or project; it implies leaving things behind, sometimes reluctantly. 'Drop' is neutral and informal, used for ideas, subjects, or people you stop dealing with. 'Cancel' is for officially-arranged events or contracts and is usually announced publicly. 'Ditch' is informal and dismissive, suggesting you got rid of something quickly because you no longer wanted it. Compare: 'The committee scrapped the proposal' (decision after review), 'cancelled the meeting' (officially called off), 'dropped the subject' (stopped discussing), 'ditched the plan' (informal walking-away).

scrap ↗abandon ↗drop ↗cancel ↗ditch ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • scrap metal
  • scrap yard
  • scrap dealer
  • scrap paper
  • food scraps

Adverbs

Phrases

  • sell for scrap
  • throw on the scrap heap
  • a scrap of evidence
  • not a scrap of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun 'scrap' came into Middle English from Old Norse 'skrap' meaning 'bits, pieces, or noise', related to the verb 'skrapa' (to scrape or scratch). It first meant 'something scraped off', then broadened to 'small leftover piece' (paper, cloth, food) and later to 'waste metal or machinery'. The verb 'to scrap' (to discard) is recorded from the late 19th century, formed from the noun. The 'fight' senses (noun and verb) appeared in 19th-century British slang, perhaps influenced by 'scrape' in the older sense of 'a difficulty or scrap-up' and by general associations with rough, scrappy behaviour.