scraps

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'scraps' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to small, left-over bits of food, material, or other goods. Example: She gathered up all the scraps of fabric and sewed them together to make a patchwork quilt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the same month, Wonga appoints Andy Haste as chairman, who scraps the puppets and other light-hearted advertising straight away, and says the firm is going to get smaller and less profitable.

The Guardian - Business

I love the texture of cooked filo, but I hate working with it, because I inevitably end up with a pile of torn, scrunched up and dried out pastry scraps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trenches were littered with the detritus of war – bullet casings, scraps of uniform and empty food tins.

The Guardian

I've scribbled these words in the backs of notebooks, or jotted them down on scraps of paper.

The Guardian - Books

Shackled to a bed at night and existing on scraps of food, his teeth rotted and he lost the power of speech.

The Guardian

My first memory from the kitchen involves pastry scraps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Simmer until the juice has thickened, then allow to cool. 2 Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Roll out the leftover pastry scraps, and cut out discs of about 8-10cm in diameter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2 Line a baking tray with baking paper, then cut the pastry into rounds, gathering the scraps together until it is all used.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This version is slightly improvised using scraps of leftover sweet shortcrust pastry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When I left scraps on my plate, she'd look at me, then at the plate, then, very slowly, back at me again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Patricia Searle, North Yorkshire Leftover pastry Rolled whole oats Butter Caster sugar 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Weigh the scraps of leftover pastry, and add the same weight of oats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scraps" to refer to leftover food, consider the connotation; it can sometimes imply that the food is undesirable or of poor quality. Use it carefully in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "scraps" in formal business or academic writing to describe leftover data or information. Opt for more professional terms like "fragments", "remnants", or "segments" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "scraps" functions primarily as a noun, referring to small pieces or remnants of something, often leftover materials or food. It can also function as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "scrap". Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Lifestyle

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Science

9%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "scraps" is commonly used as both a noun and a verb, denoting leftover pieces or the act of discarding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and diverse applications are well-supported by numerous examples. Predominantly featured in "News & Media" and "Lifestyle" contexts, "scraps" carries a neutral tone suitable for varied communications. When aiming for formality, consider using synonyms such as "remnants" or "fragments". Overall, "scraps" is a versatile term, essential for describing residuals and remnants in both material and abstract senses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leftovers

Focuses specifically on what remains after a meal or process.

offcuts

Specifically refers to pieces cut off from a larger material.

remnants

Emphasizes the remaining parts of something after it has been used or destroyed.

remains

Implies what is left behind, often after a significant event or process.

fragments

Highlights the broken or incomplete nature of the remaining pieces.

debris

Refers to scattered fragments, typically after destruction or damage.

bits and pieces

Refers to small, miscellaneous items or parts.

odds and ends

Similar to "bits and pieces", indicating a collection of varied, unimportant items.

odds

Denotes miscellaneous or leftover items of little value.

waste

Highlights the discarded or unusable parts of something.

FAQs

How can I use "scraps" in a sentence?

You can use "scraps" to refer to small pieces of leftover food, material, or information. For example, "She fed the "food scraps" to the dog" or "He pieced together the report from "scraps of information" he could find".

What's a more formal word for "scraps"?

Depending on the context, you could use "remnants", "fragments", or "offcuts" as more formal alternatives to "scraps".

Is it correct to use "scraps" to describe leftover building materials?

Yes, "scraps" can be used to describe leftover building materials. For example, "The construction crew used the "scraps of wood" to build a small shed".

What is the difference between "scraps" and "garbage"?

"Scraps" generally refers to small, leftover pieces that might still be usable or have some value, while "garbage" refers to waste that is considered unusable and is meant to be discarded.