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1. A harsh noise made by scraping
   "the scratching of violin bows distracted her";
   - scrape, scraping, scratch

1. Cause friction
   "my sweater scratches";
   - rub, fray, fret, chafe
    
2. Cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
   - scrape, scratch up
    
3. Scrape with the fingers as if to relieve itching
   "Don't scratch your insect bites!";
   - rub, itch
    
4. Postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
   "scratch that meeting--the chair is ill";
   - cancel, call off, scrub
    
5. Remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
   "scratch that remark";
   - strike, expunge, excise
    
6. Gather (money or other resources) together over time
   "they scratched a meagre living";
   - scrape, scrape up, come up
    
7. Carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
   "the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree";
   - engrave, grave [archaic], inscribe

Derived forms: scratchings

Type of: accumulate, adjoin, amass, cancel, carve, chip at, collect, compile, contact, delete, hoard, incise, irritate, meet, noise, pile up, roll up, touch

Encyclopedia: Scratching