scrounge

[skrounj] /skraʊndʒ/
verb (used with object), scrounged, scrounging.
1.
to borrow (a small amount or item) with no intention of repaying or returning it:
to scrounge a cigarette.
2.
to gather together by foraging; seek out:
We'll try to scrounge enough food for supper from the neighbors.
verb (used without object), scrounged, scrounging.
3.
to borrow, especially a small item one is not expected to return or replace.
noun
4.
a habitual borrower; sponger.
5.
an act or instance of scrounging.
6.
a person who exists by foraging.
Also, scrounger (for defs 4, 6).
Verb phrases
7.
scrounge around, to search or forage for something, especially in a haphazard or disorganized fashion; hunt for:
We scrounged around for something to eat.
Origin
1905-10; alteration of dial. scringe to glean
Examples from the web for scrounge
  • With no permanent place to live or income, she ate only what she could scrounge up.
  • In order to survive, prosimians became nocturnal hunters that scrounge for food while their larger, smarter cousins sleep.
  • Science programs still have to scrounge around for every additional cent.
British Dictionary definitions for scrounge

scrounge

/skraʊndʒ/
verb (informal)
1.
when intr, sometimes foll by around. to search in order to acquire (something) without cost
2.
to obtain or seek to obtain (something) by cadging or begging
Derived Forms
scrounger, noun
Word Origin
C20: variant of dialect scrunge to steal, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for scrounge
v.

"to acquire by irregular means," 1915, alteration of dialectal scrunge "to search stealthily, rummage, pilfer" (1909), of uncertain origin, perhaps from dialectal scringe "to pry about;" or perhaps related to scrouge, scrooge "push, jostle" (1755, also Cockney slang for "a crowd"), probably suggestive of screw, squeeze. Popularized by the military in World War I. Related: Scrounged; scrounging.

Slang definitions & phrases for scrounge

scrounge

noun

(also scrounger)A person who acquires by begging, borrowing, or pilfering; codger, moocher, schnorrer

verb
  1. (also scrounge up) To acquire by such dubious ways as habitual borrowing, begging, foraging, scavenging, pilfering, etc; cadge, mooch • Popularized by military use during World War I: eating what little he could scrounge
  2. (also scrounge up) To seek and collect; scrape up: Let's see what we can scrounge up for supper

[1909+; probably fr British dialect scrunge, ''squeeze,'' hence ''steal,'' semantically parallel with pinch]