scotch

1
[ skoch ]
See synonyms for scotch on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil: to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.

  2. to cut, gash, or score.

  1. to injure so as to make harmless.

  2. to block or prop with a wedge or chock.

noun
  1. a cut, gash, or score.

  2. a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.

Origin of scotch

1
1375–1425; late Middle English scocche (noun and v.), perhaps blend of score and notch (>Anglo-French escocher)

Other definitions for scotch (2 of 3)

scotch2
[ skoch ]

verb (used with object), nounMasonry.

Other definitions for Scotch (3 of 3)

Scotch
[ skoch ]

adjective
  1. (used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people: Scotch plaid.

  2. Sometimes Offensive. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.

  1. (usually lowercase)Informal. frugal; provident; thrifty.

noun
  1. (used with a plural verb)Sometimes Offensive. the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.

  2. (often lowercase) Scotch whisky.

  1. Sometimes Offensive. the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.

Origin of Scotch

3
First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish

confusables note For Scotch

The natives of Scotland refer to themselves as Scots or, in the singular, Scot, Scotsman, or Scotswoman. The related adjectives are Scottish or, less commonly, Scots. Scotch as a noun or adjective is objected to by the Scots except when used of whisky and in established phrases like Scotch egg and Scotch pine. In the United States, Scotch is often used in inforrmal speech and writing where the Scots themselves, or some Americans of Scottish descent, would prefer Scottish or Scots. The term Scotch-Irish is standard in the United States for the descendants of the Scots of Ulster who immigrated to America beginning in the 18th century.

Words that may be confused with Scotch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scotch in a sentence

  • At last, when he got close to the open gate, he hop-scotched, propelling the pebble far into the road.

    What Timmy Did | Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (1 of 4)

scotch1

/ (skɒtʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to put an end to; crush: bad weather scotched our plans

  2. archaic to injure so as to render harmless

  1. obsolete to cut or score

noun
  1. archaic a gash; scratch

  2. a line marked down, as for hopscotch

Origin of scotch

1
C15: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for scotch (2 of 4)

scotch2

/ (skɒtʃ) /


verb
  1. (tr) to block, prop, or prevent from moving with or as if with a wedge

noun
  1. a block or wedge to prevent motion

Origin of scotch

2
C17: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for Scotch (3 of 4)

Scotch1

/ (skɒtʃ) /


adjective
  1. another word for Scottish

noun
  1. the Scots or their language

usage For Scotch

In the north of England and in Scotland, Scotch is not used outside fixed expressions such as Scotch whisky. The use of Scotch for Scots or Scottish is otherwise felt to be incorrect, esp when applied to people

British Dictionary definitions for Scotch (4 of 4)

Scotch2

/ (skɒtʃ) /


noun
  1. Also called: Scotch whisky whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland

  2. Northeast English a type of relatively mild beer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012