# scratching

/ˈskɹætʃɪŋ/ (US) · /skɹˈætʃɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scratching
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sound or action

noun · CEFR B1

the sound or act of rubbing a surface with your nails or a sharp tool.

For teachers: the act of rubbing a surface with a sharp object or the resulting auditory sensation.

- I heard a strange scratching sound coming from behind the wooden wall.
- The constant scratching of the dog at the back door eventually wore a visible groove into the expensive oak finish.

### 2. music technique

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

moving a vinyl record back and forth by hand to create rhythmic sounds.

For teachers: a DJ technique involving the manual manipulation of a vinyl record to produce percussive or rhythmic sounds.

- The DJ used scratching to add a cool rhythm to the hip-hop track.
- Advanced scratching requires precise motor control and a deep understanding of rhythmic syncopation within the context of live performance.

### 3. salty snack

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a piece of fried pig skin that is very crunchy and salty.

For teachers: a snack consisting of deep-fried pig skin, typically seasoned with salt.

- He bought a bag of pork scratchings to eat while watching the game.
- While common in British pubs, pork scratchings are often avoided by health-conscious consumers due to their high sodium and fat content.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'pork scratchings'.

## Examples

- The DJ added some scratching to the middle of the song.
- Early hip-hop pioneers transformed the turntable into a musical instrument through the innovative use of scratching.
- While simple scratching is a staple of the genre, master turntablists employ complex patterns and rapid fader movements to create intricate melodic sequences.

---

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.