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

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

Derived forms: scratchings

Type of: accumulate, adjoin, amass, cancel, carve, chip at, collect, compile, contact, defer, delete, hoard, hold over, incise, irritate, meet, noise, pile up, postpone, prorogue, put back, put off, put over, remit, roll up, set back, shelve, table [N. Amer], touch

Encyclopedia: Scratching