Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scavenge

/ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.51 in modern English

Syllables: scav-enge
IPA: /ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To collect and remove refuse, or to search through refuse, carrion, or abandoned items for useful material.

Transitive verb

verb

To remove unwanted material from something, especially to purify molten metal by removing impurities.

Transitive verb

verb

To expel the exhaust gases from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and draw in air for the next cycle.

Transitive verb

verb

To feed on carrion or refuse.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"We scavenged a couple of old beer cans for our art project."
"They had to scavenge the forest for firewood."

Etymology

Back-formation from scavenger. Compare messenger and passenger.

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

scavenges (present, singular) scavenging (participle, present) scavenged (participle, past) scavenged (past)

Derived Forms

scavengeable unscavenged

Phrases

scavenge pump

Frequently Paired Words

scavenger show showing

Synonyms

ragpick scrounge clean salvage

Questions

How do you pronounce scavenge?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/.
What does scavenge mean?: To collect and remove refuse, or to search through refuse, carrion, or abandoned items for useful material.
Where does scavenge come from?: Back-formation from scavenger. Compare messenger and passenger.

How to pronounce scavenge

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “scavenge”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈskæv.ɪndʒ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “scavenge”.
Repeat and practice — Say “scavenge” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.