<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough: to scratch one's hand on a nail.</li><li>to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.: to scratch the burs off one's coat.</li><li>to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.</li><li>to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface: to scratch a match on the sidewalk.</li><li>to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed by out): Scratch out the third name on the list.</li><li>to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.</li><li>U.S. Politics: to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.</li><li>to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.</li><li>to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface: She scratched her initials on the glass.</li><li>to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching: three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.</li><li>a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.</li><li>an act of scratching.</li><li>the slight grating sound caused by scratching.</li><li>the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.</li><li>a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.</li><li>a fluke or lucky shot.</li><li>(in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.</li><li>slang: money; cash.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>used for hasty writing, notes, etc.: scratch paper.</li><li>without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.</li><li>informal: done by or dependent on chance: a scratch shot.</li><li>informal: gathered hastily and indiscriminately: a scratch crew.</li><li>done or made from scratch: a scratch cake.</li></ul>