scrimmage
n. C / Un. a practice game or informal match between members of the same team. It helps players learn their roles and practice plays without the pressure of a real competition.
n. a practice session or informal game between members of the same team, often used to simulate match conditions. In American football, it also refers to the period of play that begins when the ball is snapped.
The coach scheduled a scrimmage for Friday afternoon.
During the scrimmage, the second-string players had a chance to show their skills against the starters.
The tactical adjustments made during the mid-week scrimmage proved decisive when the team faced their rivals in the championship final.
A corruption of skirmish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Countable when referring to a specific practice game; uncountable when referring to the general activity of practice play.
Last updated May 11, 2026