scrappy

1 of 2

adjective (1)

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

scrappy

2 of 2

adjective (2)

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

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
Where marketers have typically relied on demographics to divide the market, Tyler targeted people who were rebellious and scrappy like him. Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Even Sai, who is the only one who seems scrappy enough to really throw down, is trying to come off as nicer and calmer. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2024 His two touchdown passes and 201 all-purpose yards led Cathedral to a scrappy, 16-14 Angelus League title-clinching victory over St. Paul — the Phantoms’ first league title since 2018. Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Because the show is all about a scrappy fighter training to be the best in a world full of magical people, though, anime series like Pokémon and Naruto were an obvious go-to source of inspiration. Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scrappy 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

scrap entry 1

Adjective (2)

scrap entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1837, 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 1837

Dictionary Entries Near scrappy

Cite this Entry

“Scrappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrappy. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scrappy

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