verb
scour
SKOW-uh
verb
1
To clean something thoroughly by rubbing it hard, often with an abrasive.
"She scoured the burnt pan until it shone."
"He scoured the bathroom tiles with bleach and a stiff brush."
2
To search an area or source thoroughly for something.
"Detectives scoured the woods for clues."
"She scoured job listings every morning for weeks."
noun
1
A channel or hollow cut into the ground by fast-moving water.
"The flood left a deep scour beneath the bridge."
How to Use Scour
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clean vigorously by scrubbing, or to search somewhere thoroughly.
Common pairings
scour the pots
scour the internet
scour the area
Word Forms
scoured past tense, scoured past tense, scours plural, scours singular, scours singular
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Etymology
From Middle English scǒuren, probably borrowed from Dutch or Low German words meaning to clean or polish, ultimately traced back to a Latin verb meaning \"to clean off.\"