The difference between Scrape and Scratch

When used as nouns, scrape means a broad, shallow injury left by scraping (rather than a cut or a scratch), whereas scratch means a disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

When used as verbs, scrape means to draw an object, especially a sharp or angular one, along (something) while exerting pressure, whereas scratch means to rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

Scratch is also adjective with the meaning: for or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.

check bellow for the other definitions of Scrape and Scratch

  1. Scrape as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To draw an object, especially a sharp or angular one, along (something) while exerting pressure.

    Examples:

    "Her fingernails scraped across the blackboard, making a shrill sound."

    "Scrape the chewing gum off with a knife."

  2. Scrape as a verb (transitive):

    To injure or damage by rubbing across a surface.

    Examples:

    "She tripped on a rock and scraped her knee."

  3. Scrape as a verb (transitive):

    To barely manage to achieve.

    Examples:

    "I scraped a pass in the exam."

  4. Scrape as a verb (transitive):

    To collect or gather, especially without regard to the quality of what is chosen.

    Examples:

    "Just use whatever you can scrape together."

  5. Scrape as a verb (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.

  6. Scrape as a verb:

    To occupy oneself with getting laboriously.

    Examples:

    "He scraped and saved until he became rich."

  7. Scrape as a verb (ambitransitive):

    To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or similar instrument.

  8. Scrape as a verb:

    To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow.

  9. Scrape as a verb:

    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.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Macaulay"

  1. Scrape as a noun:

    A broad, shallow injury left by scraping (rather than a cut or a scratch).

    Examples:

    "He fell on the sidewalk and got a scrape on his knee."

  2. Scrape as a noun:

    A fight, especially a fistfight without weapons.

    Examples:

    "He got in a scrape with the school bully."

  3. Scrape as a noun:

    An awkward set of circumstances.

    Examples:

    "I'm in a bit of a scrape — I've no money to buy my wife a birthday present."

  4. Scrape as a noun (British, slang):

    A D and C or abortion; or, a miscarriage.

  5. Scrape as a noun:

    A shallow depression used by ground birds as a nest; a nest scrape.

  1. Scratch as a verb:

    To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

    Examples:

    "Could you please scratch my back?"

  2. Scratch as a verb:

    To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation. For a man, when kissing someone, to irritate the skin of that person with one's unshaven beard.

    Examples:

    "I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck."

  3. Scratch as a verb:

    To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).

    Examples:

    "A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass."

  4. Scratch as a verb:

    To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page. Hence, to remove, ignore or delete.

    Examples:

    "Scratch what I said earlier; I was wrong."

    "When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows."

  5. Scratch as a verb (music):

    To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).

  6. Scratch as a verb (billiards):

    To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.

    Examples:

    "Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table."

  7. Scratch as a verb (billiards, dated, US):

    To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.

  8. Scratch as a verb:

    To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.

  9. Scratch as a verb:

    To dig or excavate with the claws.

    Examples:

    "Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow."

  10. Scratch as a verb:

    To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.

    Examples:

    "The cat scratched the little girl because she was playing with it too hard."

  1. Scratch as a noun (countable):

    A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

    Examples:

    "I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already."

    "Her skin was covered with tiny scratches."

  2. Scratch as a noun:

    An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.

    Examples:

    "The dog sat up and had a good scratch."

  3. Scratch as a noun (sports):

    A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing. A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark. The last riders to depart in a handicap race. An aberration. # A foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table. # A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Grose"

  4. Scratch as a noun (slang):

    Money.

  5. Scratch as a noun:

    A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.

  6. Scratch as a noun (in the plural):

    Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.

  7. Scratch as a noun:

    A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

  8. Scratch as a noun (music):

    A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.

  1. Scratch as an adjective:

    For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.

    Examples:

    "This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it."

  2. Scratch as an adjective:

    Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation

  3. Scratch as an adjective (computing, from [[scratchpad]]):

    Relating to a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.

  4. Scratch as an adjective (sports):

    (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.

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