scrimmage
2 synonyms for scrimmage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In American or Canadian football, a play starting when the ball is snapped, or more generally a practice match that doesn't count officially.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
melee
battle royal
How to use scrimmage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
line of scrimmage
hold a scrimmage
scrimmage match
Etymology
A worn-down form of "skirmish," originally meaning a minor scuffle before narrowing to its football sense.
Full origin of scrimmage →Frequently asked questions
What does “scrimmage” mean?
The word “scrimmage” means in American or Canadian football, a play starting when the ball is snapped, or more generally a practice match that doesn't count officially. In plain terms, a practice game, or the specific play-start moment in football where the ball is snapped.
How do you pronounce “scrimmage”?
“Scrimmage” is pronounced SKRIH-mihj (/ˈskɹɪməd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scrimmage” in a sentence?
Here is “scrimmage” used in a sentence: “The team held a scrimmage before the season opener.”
What part of speech is “scrimmage”?
Depending on how it is used, “scrimmage” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “scrimmage” have?
“Scrimmage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in American or Canadian football, a play starting when the ball is snapped, or more generally a practice match that doesn't count officially.
