scratch

[skrætʃ] verb I

1) [I/T] to pull your nails along your skin, especially because you have an ITCH that makes you want to do this

Scratch my back for me.[/ex]

2) [T] to damage a surface by cutting it slightly or marking it with something sharp or rough

Don't worry: the cat won't scratch you.[/ex]

Someone's scratched my car door.[/ex]

3) [I/T] to move something sharp or rough against a hard surface and make a noise

I could hear the dog scratching at the back door.[/ex]

II

noun [C]

scratch [skrætʃ]

1) a narrow mark on your skin or on a surface that is caused by cutting it slightly or marking it with something sharp or rough

2) the action of pulling your nails along your skin, especially because you have an ITCH that makes you want to do this

3) a sound made by moving something sharp or rough against a hard surface

•

from scratch — from the beginning, doing everything yourself[/ex]

the travel company he built from scratch[/ex]

up to scratch — informal good enough[/ex]