verb
scavenge
SKAV-ihnj
Scavenge (verb) means to search through discarded material for something useful. Example: “They scavenged for firewood along the riverbank.”
verb
1
To search through discarded material for something useful.
"They had to scavenge the forest for firewood."
"They scavenged for firewood along the riverbank."
"The stray dogs scavenged for food behind the restaurant."
"We scavenged a couple of old beer cans for our art project."
How to use scavenge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo search through waste or leftovers for something useful, or to feed on scraps.
Common pairings
scavenge for food
scavenge parts
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- scavenges
- Past tense
- scavenged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ for firewood along the riverbank.
Etymology
Formed as a back-formation from "scavenger."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scavenge
See all rhymes for scavenge →Frequently asked questions
What does “scavenge” mean?
The word “scavenge” means to search through discarded material for something useful. In plain terms, to search through waste or leftovers for something useful, or to feed on scraps.
How do you pronounce “scavenge”?
“Scavenge” is pronounced SKAV-ihnj (/ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scavenge” in a sentence?
Here is “scavenge” used in a sentence: “They scavenged for firewood along the riverbank.”
What part of speech is “scavenge”?
“Scavenge” is a verb.
