# scratched

/ˈskɹætʃt/ (US) · /skɹˈætʃt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scratched
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. damaged surface

adjective · CEFR B1

having thin, shallow marks or lines on the surface caused by something sharp or rough.

For teachers: bearing surface abrasions or linear marks caused by friction against a sharp or rough object.

- The screen of my old phone is so scratched that I can barely read the messages.
- The antique mahogany table was badly scratched during the move, requiring professional restoration to hide the deep gouges in the wood.

### 3. cancelled or removed

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to have been removed from a list or a race.

For teachers: withdrawn from a competition or deleted from a list; often used in the passive voice.

- The horse was scratched from the race just an hour before the start.
- Several names were scratched from the final guest list to ensure the event remained within the venue's strict capacity limits.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice: 'to be scratched from'.

## Examples

- The old table is badly scratched.
- I cannot play this CD because the surface is too scratched to be read by the player.
- The antique mirror featured a heavily scratched silver backing, yet its ornate frame remained in pristine condition despite decades of neglect in the attic.

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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.