1 A2 neutral
To remove a layer of unwanted material (mud, paint, ice, food) from a surface using a scraping tool.
"He scraped the ice off his car windscreen before driving to work."
separable
scrape off
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove something from a surface by scraping it with a hard or sharp tool.
In plain English
To use something hard and flat to push and remove a dirty or unwanted layer from a surface.
What does "scrape off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To remove yourself or something from contact with a sticky or unpleasant surface.
"She scraped the gum off the bottom of her shoe using a stone."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrape (use a sharp edge against a surface) something off (away from the surface).
Actually means
To use something hard and flat to push and remove a dirty or unwanted layer from a surface.
Usage tip
Very practical, everyday verb. Used for removing paint, mud, food residue, stickers, ice, etc. Common in DIY, cooking, and everyday household contexts.
Words that pair with "scrape off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
mud paint ice label rust residue
How to conjugate "scrape off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrape off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrapes off
he/she/it
Past simple
scraped off
yesterday
Past participle
scraped off
have + pp
-ing form
scraping off
continuous
Hear "scrape off" in the wild
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