scrappy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

scrap·​py ˈskra-pē How to pronounce scrappy (audio)
scrappier; scrappiest
Synonyms of scrappy
: consisting of scraps
scrappy meals

scrappy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

scrappier; scrappiest
1
: quarrelsome
2
: having an aggressive and determined spirit : feisty

Synonyms of scrappy

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Adjective (2)

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Examples of scrappy in a Sentence

Adjective (2) she was a scrappy girl despite—or, perhaps, because of—her small size a pair of scrappy movie critics who can never agree on anything
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 The workplace comedy started as a scrappy passion project — Gillis uploaded a pilot to YouTube in 2019 before the trio financed and produced a six-episode first season independently in Pennsylvania. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 But life on an island also inspires a scrappy, home-town camaraderie. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The group’s early music was lo-fi, vintage-leaning, and just twee enough to make the scrappy garage rockers an emblem of early-mid aughts Urban Outfitters hipsterdom. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrappy

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

scrap entry 1

Adjective (2)

scrap entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrappy was in 1835

Rhymes for scrappy

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Browse Nearby Words

scrapple
scrappy
scrap value
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrappy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scrappy

adjective
scrap·​py
ˈskrap-ē
scrappier; scrappiest
1
: quarrelsome
2
: having an aggressive and determined spirit
scrappiness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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