noun · verb · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈskaʊə/
Canada, General-American:/ˈskaʊɚ/
Canada, General-American:/skaʊɹ/
California:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian:/skæɔə/
QueenslandRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
New-Zealand:/ˈskæʊə/
rhymes with -aʊə(ɹ)
rhymes with -aʊ.ə(ɹ)
CMU ARPABET:S K AW1 ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:S K AW1 R
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Bridge scour may scoop out scour holes and compromise the integrity of the structure.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A place scoured out by running water, as in the bed of a stream below a waterfall.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A place where wool is washed to remove grease and impurities prior to processing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Diarrhoea, in livestock; scouring.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To clean, polish, or wash (something) by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously, frequently with an abrasive or cleaning agent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
He scoured the burnt food from the pan.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To remove debris and dirt (from something) by purging; to sweep along or off by a current of water.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To clear the digestive tract (of an animal) by administering medication that induces defecation or vomiting; to purge.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
verb
Meaning 10
To search an area thoroughly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.
A search engine will scour the web for you.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
verb
Meaning 11
To run with speed; to scurry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
verb
Meaning 12
To move swiftly over; to brush along.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
a place that is scoured (especially by running water)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: topographic point, place, spot
14
verb
Meaning 14
rinse, clean, or empty with a liquid
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
flush the wound with antibiotics
purge the old gas tank
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: flush, purge
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rinse, rinse off
15
verb
Meaning 15
clean with hard rubbing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
She scrubbed his back
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: scrub
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rub
Narrower terms: holystone
16
verb
Meaning 16
rub hard or scrub
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
scour the counter tops
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: abrade
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rub
17
verb
Meaning 17
examine minutely
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The police scoured the country for the fugitive
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: search, seek, look for
History
Etymology
From Middle English scǒuren (“to polish, scour; to clean; to beat, whip”), from Middle Dutch scuren, schuren (“to clean; to polish”) or Middle Low German schǖren, of uncertain origin but probably from Old French escurer, from Medieval Latin scūrō, escūrō, excūrō (“to clean off”), from ex- (“thoroughly”) + cūrō (“to arrange, see to, take care of”), from cūra (“care, concern”) (from Proto-Indo-European *kweys- (“to heed”)) + -ō. The word is cognate with Danish skure, Middle High German schüren, schiuren (modern German scheuern (“to scour, scrub; to chafe”)), Norwegian skura (“to scrub”), Swedish skura, Catalan escurar.
From Middle English scǒuren, scure, skoure (“to move quickly; to travel around in search of enemies”), from scǒur (“attack, conflict; pang of emotional suffering”), from Old Norse skýra (“to rush in”) and skúr (“a shower; a shower of missiles”), perhaps influenced by the verb scǒuren: see etymology 1.
Across languages
Translations
124 source translations are retained for this English entry.
German:
Auswaschen
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
German:
Ausspülen
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
German:
Erosion
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
Italian:
lavaggio
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
Italian:
strofinata
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
Italian:
ripulita
— removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water
Bulgarian:
подмол
(podmol)
— place scoured out by running water
German:
Auswaschung
— place scoured out by running water
German:
Erosionsfläche
— place scoured out by running water
German:
Ausspülung
— place scoured out by running water
German:
Kolk
— place scoured out by running water
Bulgarian:
търкам
(tǎrkam)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Bulgarian:
жуля
(žulja)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Catalan:
escurar
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Chinese Cantonese:
擦
(caat3)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Chinese Mandarin:
擦洗
(cāxǐ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Chinese Mandarin:
冲刷
(chōngshuā)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Chinese Mandarin:
淘洗
(cāxǐ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Czech:
vydrhnout
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Czech:
drhnout
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Dutch:
schuren
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Esperanto:
frotpurigi
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
French:
récurer
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
French:
verrer
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
scheuern
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
reinigen
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
putzen
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
abbürsten
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
abreiben
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
ausscheuern
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
wegscheuern
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
blankscheuern
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
kratzen
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
wegkratzen
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
schrubben
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
German:
fegen
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Hindi:
मांजना
(māñjnā)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Hungarian:
sikál
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Hungarian:
súrol
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Hungarian:
suvickol
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
strofinare
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
lucidare
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
pulire
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
strigliare
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
ripulire
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
raschiare
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Italian:
grattare
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Japanese:
磨ぐ
(migaku)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Māori:
kowani
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Māori:
ūkui
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Māori:
rari
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Norwegian:
skrubbe
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Norwegian:
skure
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Polish:
szorować
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Polish:
wyszorować
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Romanian:
curăța
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отска́бливать
(otskáblivatʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отскобли́ть
(otskoblítʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отчища́ть
(otčiščátʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отчи́стить
(otčístitʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отдра́ивать
(otdráivatʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Russian:
отдра́ить
(otdráitʹ)
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Serbo-Croatian:
ribati
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Serbo-Croatian:
рибати
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Spanish:
fregar
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Spanish:
refregar
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Spanish:
restregar
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Swedish:
skura
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Swedish:
skrubba
— to clean, polish, or wash something by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously
Bulgarian:
отмивам
(otmivam)
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
German:
spülen
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
German:
durchspülen
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
German:
wegspülen
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
German:
abspülen
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
German:
ausspülen
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
Ottoman Turkish:
ییقامق
(yıkamak)
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
Ottoman Turkish:
یومق
(yumak)
— to remove debris and dirt by purging
Dutch:
purgeren
— to clear the digestive tract
French:
purger
— to clear the digestive tract
Spanish:
purgar
— to clear the digestive tract
Swedish:
laxera
— to clear the digestive tract
Bulgarian:
претърсвам
(pretǎrsvam)
— to search an area thoroughly
Czech:
pročesat
— to search an area thoroughly
Czech:
prohledat
— to search an area thoroughly
Czech:
prošmejdit
— to search an area thoroughly
Dutch:
afschuimen
— to search an area thoroughly
French:
écumer
— to search an area thoroughly
French:
passer au peigne fin
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
absuchen
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
sondieren
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
abkämmen
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
durchkämmen
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
durchsuchen
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
durchforsten
— to search an area thoroughly
German:
durchstreifen
— to search an area thoroughly
Italian:
perlustrare
— to search an area thoroughly
Italian:
setacciare
— to search an area thoroughly
Italian:
rastrellare
— to search an area thoroughly
Italian:
battere
— to search an area thoroughly
Latin:
pervēnor
— to search an area thoroughly
Māori:
haurapa
— to search an area thoroughly
Norwegian:
finkjemme
— to search an area thoroughly
Russian:
ры́скать
(rýskatʹ)
— to search an area thoroughly
Russian:
прочёсывать
(pročósyvatʹ)
— to search an area thoroughly
Russian:
прочеса́ть
(pročesátʹ)
— to search an area thoroughly
Slovene:
prečesati
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
peinar
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
rastrillar
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
batir
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
rebuscar
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
esculcar
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
escurcar
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
campear
— to search an area thoroughly
Spanish:
camperear
— to search an area thoroughly
Swedish:
genomsöka
— to search an area thoroughly
Tagalog:
gumalugad
— to search an area thoroughly
Tagalog:
galugarin
— to search an area thoroughly
Czech:
hnát se
— to run with speed
Italian:
fuggire
— to run with speed
Italian:
darsela a gambe
— to run with speed
Italian:
schizzare via
— to run with speed
Bulgarian:
профучавам
(profučavam)
— to move swiftly over
