scrap

A small piece of paper or cloth left after you cut or make something.

• Keep that scrap of paper.
• We made flowers from scraps of fabric.
• He wrote the number on a scrap left beside the scissors.

How to use it: a scrap of something (She saved a scrap of fabric from the dress.)

Similar words: offcut, remnant

Common phrases: scrap of paper, scrap of fabric, scrap of cloth

Old metal, parts, or objects that can be broken up and used to make something else.

• They collect scrap metal.
• We sold the broken machine for scrap.
• The dealer buys scrap from local factories.

How to use it: for scrap (The old engine was sold for scrap.)

Similar words: junk, salvage

Common phrases: scrap metal, scrap yard, scrap dealer, sell for scrap

A small bit of food left after a meal or after preparing food.

• The dog ate the scraps.
• Put vegetable scraps in this bin.
• She left a scrap of meat on her plate.

How to use it: a scrap of something (A scrap of bread remained on his plate.)

Similar words: leftover, remnant

Common phrases: food scrap, table scrap, scrap of meat

A small piece separated from something larger, or a small amount of something.

• A scrap of cloth hung from the fence.
• We gathered every scrap of information we could.
• He remembered only scraps of their conversation.

How to use it: a scrap of something (There was not a scrap of evidence against her.)

Similar words: fragment, bit, piece

Common phrases: scrap of evidence, scrap of information, scrap of cloth

To stop working on a plan or project and decide not to finish it.

• They scrapped the plan.
• We may scrap the project because it costs too much.
• Should we scrap this idea and start again?

Similar words: abandon, cancel, drop

Opposites: continue

Common phrases: scrap a plan, scrap the project, scrap the proposal

To get rid of an old vehicle or machine so its parts and materials can be used again.

• We scrapped our old car.
• The damaged buses will be scrapped next month.
• Is it cheaper to scrap the machine than repair it?

Similar words: junk, dismantle

Common phrases: scrap a car, scrap old machinery, scrap the vehicle