scrounge

verb

scrounged; scrounging

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing
scrounging enough money for a bus ticket
b
: finagle, wheedle
often used with up

intransitive verb

: to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available
also : to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source
scrounger noun

Examples of scrounge in a Sentence

I managed to scrounge enough money for a bus ticket. He's always scrounging off his friends instead of paying for things himself. We scrounged around for firewood. We managed to scrounge some firewood.
Recent Examples on the Web First, scrounge up some pennies from your wallet and coin jar—the dirtier, the better! Nicole Harris, Parents, 22 May 2024 Each other piece was a mad dash around town, a group effort for white button-downs and matching pants, scrounged up from Nordstroms and various thrift shops. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scrounge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrounge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect scrunge to wander about idly

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrounge was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near scrounge

Cite this Entry

“Scrounge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrounge. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

scrounge

verb
scrounged; scrounging
1
: to collect by or as if by rummaging
scrounge around for firewood
2
: to get by coaxing or persuading
scrounge a dollar from a friend
scrounger noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scrounge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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