Phrase guide

scratch paper

noun · 2 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

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Paper used for preliminary work on a (for example mathematics) problem, considered ephemeral.

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

2

noun

Meaning 2

pad for preliminary or hasty writing or notes or sketches etc is a British term

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • scribbling block

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: scratch pad, scribbling block

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: notepad

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 草稿紙 /草稿纸 (cǎogǎozhǐ) — paper used for preliminary work, considered ephemeral
  • German: Schmierpapier — paper used for preliminary work, considered ephemeral
  • Lithuanian: júodraštis — paper used for preliminary work, considered ephemeral
  • Portuguese: papel de rascunho — paper used for preliminary work, considered ephemeral
  • Spanish: papel borrador — paper used for preliminary work, considered ephemeral