Definition

1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
   • To obtain something, typically of little value, by asking or begging for it in a persistent or opportunistic way, often without intending to return or pay for it.
   • To search for and collect something, especially food or useful items, from whatever is available, often from discarded sources.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to obtain by asking/begging):

  • He always tries to scrounge a free meal from his colleagues.
  • Can I scrounge a pen from you? Mine just ran out of ink.

• Verb (to search for and collect):

  • The pigs were scrounging for food in the forest.
  • He managed to scrounge enough spare parts to fix the old radio.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The word often carries a mildly negative connotation, implying laziness, opportunism, or a reluctance to pay one's own way. However, it can also be used humorously or affectionately among friends.
• It can describe a resourceful, if somewhat undignified, way of surviving or acquiring necessities, especially in difficult circumstances.
• "to scrounge around/off/from": These prepositions are commonly used with the verb.
  • He's always scrounging around for loose change. (Searching)
  • She scrounged a lift off her neighbor. (Obtained from)
  • Stop scrounging from your little brother! (Obtaining from)

Variants and Related Words

• Scrounger (noun): A person who habitually scrounges.
  • He has a reputation as a bit of a scrounger.

Synonyms

• Cadge: To ask for or obtain something to which one is not strictly entitled. (Very close synonym)
• Bum (informal): To ask for something as a gift or loan.
• Mooch (informal): To beg or scrounge.
• Forage: To search widely for food or provisions. (More neutral, often without the negative connotation of begging)

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Scrounge up (or scrounge together): To manage to find or collect something, especially with difficulty.
  • We need to scrounge up enough money for bus fare.
  • I'll try to scrounge together some chairs for the meeting.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "On the scrounge": Actively engaged in trying to obtain things by scrounging.
  • He's always on the scrounge for free tickets.

Verb

1. obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling
   • he is always shnorring cigarettes from his friends
2. collect or look around for (food)