What does "scotch" mean?
A surface cut or abrasion.
Scotch
/skɑt͡ʃ/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A surface cut or abrasion.
- Grammar: scotch is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abrade, adhesive tape, arrest, baffle.
- Useful contrasts: facilitate, implemented, non Scottish.
- Usage evidence: John drinks Scotch and Mary bourbon.
How to use "scotch"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "scotch" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "scotch" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "scotch" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "scotch" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "scotch" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abrade" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "scotch", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A surface cut or abrasion.
- 2 Alternative form of Scotch (“whisky”). alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable
"A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed."
- 3 Scotch tape. uncountable
- 4 Whisky distilled in Scotland, especially from malted barley. uncountable
"Paul has drunk a lot of Scotch."
- 5 whiskey distilled in Scotland; especially whiskey made from malted barley in a pot still wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A line drawn on the ground, as one used in playing hopscotch.
- 7 Any variety of Scotch. countable
"My favorite Scotches are Glenlivet and Laphroaig."
- 8 a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally) wordnet
- 9 A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.
"a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground"
- 10 A glass of Scotch. countable
"Gimme a Scotch."
Verb
- 1 To cut or score; to wound superficially. transitive
"We have scotched the snake, not killed it."
- 2 To rape. Australian, slang, transitive
- 3 make a small cut or score into wordnet
- 4 To prevent (something) from being successful. transitive
"The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach."
- 5 hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor. transitive
"The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation."
- 7 To block a wheel or other round object. transitive
"The workers stopped the rig on an incline and scotched the wheels."
- 8 To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument. transitive
- 9 To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads. transitive
"Yarn is scotched immediately after it has been dried and while it is still warm. http://www.google.com/patents?id=DXdGAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP3&vq=scotched&dq=scotching"
- 10 To clothe or cover up. obsolete, transitive
Adjective
- 1 Alternative form of Scotch (“Scottish”) alt-of, alternative
- 2 Of or from Scotland; Scottish. dated, not-comparable
"Behind all his assumed unsocialism there lay a true warm heart; nor could anything be kindlier than the welcome which, whenever they did come to him, any of his Scotch relatives received."
Adjective
- 1 avoiding waste wordnet
- 2 of or relating to or characteristic of Scotland or its people or culture or its English dialect or Gaelic language wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 The Scots language. dated
"But Rob was just saying what a shame it was that folk should be shamed nowadays to speak Scotch – or they called it Scots if they did, the split-tongued sourocks!"
- 2 The Scottish dialect of English. dated
- 3 The people of Scotland. dated
"The Scotch are a hardy bunch."
- 4 The opening 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4. informal
"Karpov played the Scotch against Anand."
Antonyms
Example
"John drinks Scotch and Mary bourbon."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "scotch"?
Common synonyms include: abrade, adhesive tape, arrest, baffle, baffle, balk.
How do you use "scotch" in a sentence?
John drinks Scotch and Mary bourbon.
How do you pronounce "scotch"?
Pronounced /skɑt͡ʃ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English scocchen (“to cut”), perhaps from Anglo-Norman escocher (“to notch”), from es- (“intensive prefix”) (from Latin ex-) + Old French coche (“notch”). Not related to Scotch.
Etymology 2
From 3M's Scotch tape.
Etymology 3
Contraction of Scottish. The chess opening is supposedly after its having been played in a correspondence game between Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.