scab
4 synonyms for scab, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dry, hard crust that forms over a wound as it heals.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A dry, hard crust that forms over a wound as it heals.
“She picked at the scab on her knee until it started bleeding again.”
How to use scab
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pick a scab
form a scab
cross the picket line as a scab
The strikebreaker sense is a strong insult in labour contexts and should be used carefully.
Etymology
From Old English sceabb and Old Norse skabb, both going back to a Germanic root shared with "scabies" and "shabby."
Full origin of scab →Frequently asked questions
What does “scab” mean?
The word “scab” means a dry, hard crust that forms over a wound as it heals. In plain terms, mainly the crust that forms over a healing wound, or (as an insult) someone who breaks a strike.
How do you pronounce “scab”?
“Scab” is pronounced skab (/skæb/ in IPA).
How do you use “scab” in a sentence?
Here is “scab” used in a sentence: “She picked at the scab on her knee until it started bleeding again.”
What part of speech is “scab”?
Depending on how it is used, “scab” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scab” come from?
The word “scab” comes from Old English. From Old English sceabb and Old Norse skabb, both going back to a Germanic root shared with "scabies" and "shabby.".
How many meanings does “scab” have?
“Scab” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dry, hard crust that forms over a wound as it heals.
