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Scrounge vs Scavenger - What's the difference?

scrounge | scavenger |

As nouns the difference between scrounge and scavenger

is that scrounge is someone who scrounges; a scrounger while scavenger is a street sweeper.

As a verb scrounge

is to hunt about, especially for something of nominal value; to scavenge or glean.

scrounge

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To hunt about, especially for something of nominal value; to scavenge or glean.
  • * 1965 , (Bob Dylan), (Like a Rolling Stone)
    • Now you don't seem so proud about having to be scrounging your next meal.
  • To obtain something of moderate or inconsequential value from another.
    • As long as he's got someone who'll let him scrounge off them, he'll never settle down and get a full-time job.

    Synonyms

    * (obtain from another) blag, cadge (UK), leech, sponge, wheedle

    Derived terms

    * scrounger

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone who scrounges; a scrounger.

    • See also

    * scringe * scrooge * scrouge * scrunge

    scavenger

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A street sweeper.
  • Someone who scavenges, especially one who searches through rubbish for food or useful things.
  • An animal that feeds on decaying matter such as carrion.
  • (chemistry) A substance used to remove impurities from the air or from a solution.

    • Derived terms

    * scavenger beetle * scavenger crab * scavenger's daughter * scav

    References

    --> English agent nouns English twice-borrowed terms