scrounge

IPA

Dictionary definition of scrounge

To obtain or acquire something, often in a resourceful or opportunistic manner, especially when faced with limited or scarce options.
"My brother would always scrounge for snacks in the kitchen late at night."

Detailed meaning of scrounge

When someone scrounges, they make efforts to find or gather things, typically necessities or resources, through various means. This may involve searching for discarded or leftover items, borrowing from others, or using one's wit and creativity to make the most of available resources. Scrounging is often associated with making do with what is available and adapting to challenging circumstances, showcasing resourcefulness and a willingness to find solutions despite limited means.

Example sentences containing scrounge

1. It's time to scrounge up some grub before the movie starts.
2. Can you help me scrounge materials for my art project?
3. I had to scrounge my last few coins for the bus fare.
4. They had to scrounge food from the nearby woods to survive the night.
5. Let's scrounge some old clothes for the charity drive.
6. Even though we live in the city, we still scrounge for vintage furniture in flea markets.

History and etymology of scrounge

The verb 'scrounge' has its etymological origins in British and Australian slang of the early 20th century. While the exact origins of the word are somewhat unclear, it likely stems from a blend of several regional dialects and slang terms. One possible influence is the Scottish word 'scrunge,' meaning to steal or pilfer. Additionally, there are elements of British dialects that contributed to its development, such as the word 'scrunty,' which meant miserly or stingy. Over time, 'scrounge' came to mean obtaining or acquiring something, often in a resourceful or opportunistic manner, especially when faced with limited or scarce options. It implies a certain degree of informality and improvisation in acquiring what one needs, reflecting its roots in colloquial language.

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Further usage examples of scrounge

1. If you scrounge through the attic, you might find some hidden treasures.
2. We'll have to scrounge some fuel if we're going to make it to the next town.
3. After the party, we'll need to scrounge the house for recyclables.
4. It's surprising what you can scrounge from an old junkyard.
5. If we scrounge enough ingredients, we can make a hearty stew.
6. We can scrounge materials from the construction site for our treehouse.
7. I had to scrounge the garage for a tool that could fix my bike.
8. You'd be surprised what useful items you can scrounge from a yard sale.
9. She has a knack to scrounge antiques from the most unexpected places.
10. Let's scrounge up some folks for the community clean-up.
11. They had to scrounge their savings to afford the unexpected expense.
12. I managed to scrounge a spare tire from the junk in the garage.
13. We might have to scrounge for dinner if we can't make it to the grocery store in time.
14. Before the trip, let's scrounge some snacks from the kitchen.