Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “scratch” come from?

Scratch comes from Middle English scracchen, of unknown origin.

scratch (English): To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially...

Definitions

  1. To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially...

Ancestry of “scratch”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishscracchen—

Words derived from “scratch”

  • scratching
  • scratches
  • screech
  • Scratch
  • scratchy
  • scratcher
  • screechy
  • scratchwork
  • scritch
  • scratchpad
  • screecher
  • scratchiness
  • Scratcher
  • scratchboard
  • scratchily
  • backscratcher
  • scratchable
  • catscratch
  • unscratchable
  • scratchbrush
  • scratcheth
  • scratchless
  • scratchproof
  • scratchplate
Every word from Middle English scracchen →