# scavenger

/ˈskævəndʒɝ/ (US) · /skˈævɪndʒɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scavenger
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

an animal that eats dead plants or animals it finds. It can also describe a person who searches through trash to find useful things.

For teachers: an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter; also refers to a person who salvages discarded items from refuse. In a chemical context, it describes a substance added to a mixture to remove or deactivate impurities.

## Examples

- The vulture is a well-known scavenger.
- Hyenas are efficient scavengers that play a vital role in the ecosystem by cleaning up animal remains.
- In industrial chemistry, a scavenger is often introduced to the reaction vessel to neutralize reactive intermediates that might otherwise lead to unwanted side products.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in biology to describe feeding habits or in environmental contexts regarding waste management.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.