# scrounge

> English word · Verb · IPA /skɹaʊnd͡ʒ/ · frequency rank #67,029

## Definitions
1. To hunt about, especially for something of nominal value; to scavenge or glean.
2. To obtain something of moderate or inconsequential value from another.

## Etymology
1915, alteration of dialectal scrunge ("to search stealthily, rummage, pilfer") (1909), of uncertain origin, perhaps from dialectal scringe ("to pry about"); or perhaps related to scrouge, scrooge ("push, jostle") (1755, also Cockney slang for "a crowd"), probably suggestive of screw, squeeze. Popularized by the military in World War I.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/scrounge