scour
B2Neutral to formal. The cleaning sense is common in domestic/technical contexts. The searching sense is common in journalistic, academic, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To clean or clear a surface by rubbing it hard with a rough object or substance.
To search an area or through information thoroughly and energetically, often to find something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Two primary senses are conceptually linked: both involve vigorous, thorough action to remove unwanted material (dirt or obscurity). The 'search' sense implies covering a wide area meticulously.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in the 'search' sense in everyday UK English; the 'clean' sense is common in both.
Frequency
The 'search' sense is slightly more frequent in news/media contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + scour + [Object] (e.g., She scoured the pan.)[Subject] + scour + [Area/Source] + for + [Object] (e.g., They scoured the archives for evidence.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scour the earth (for someone/something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'We need to scour the market for a better supplier.' Used for thorough competitive analysis or talent searches.
Academic
'The historian scoured primary sources to reconstruct the event.' Common in research methodology descriptions.
Everyday
'I had to scour the burnt pot for ages.' Used for intensive cleaning tasks.
Technical
'The process uses a high-pressure jet to scour the pipe interior.' Used in engineering, plumbing, and cleaning industries.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She scoured the bathtub with a powerful cleaner.
- Detectives scoured the moor for clues.
American English
- He scoured the internet for reviews.
- We scoured the rust off the old bike.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb. Typically 'scouringly'.) The wind blew scouringly across the plain.
American English
- (Rarely used. The adverbial form is not standard.)
adjective
British English
- The scouring pad was worn out.
- They used a scouring brush on the deck.
American English
- A scouring powder cleaned the sink.
- The scouring action of the sand was effective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I scour the dirty pan with a sponge.
- She scoured the kitchen until it was spotless.
- He scoured the newspaper for job adverts.
- Police scoured the area following the reported sighting.
- You'll need to scour off the old paint before repainting.
- Researchers scoured decades of clinical data to identify the trend.
- The glacier's movement scoured a deep valley into the landscape.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCOURge (whip) being used to beat dirt off a surface → to scour means to clean or search with similar intensity.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEARCHING IS CLEANING / INVESTIGATION IS PURIFICATION. To find the truth or an item, you must 'clean away' the irrelevant information.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'скау́р' (non-existent) or 'шквал' (squall). The cleaning sense is близок to 'скрести', 'чистить трением'. The searching sense is близок to 'прочесать', 'тщательно обыскать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scour' without an object (e.g., 'I was scouring for answers.' Better: 'I was scouring the book for answers.').
- Confusing 'scour' (search/clean) with 'scourge' (a whip or cause of suffering).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'scour'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's very commonly used metaphorically to mean searching through information or a physical area very thoroughly.
Rarely. It usually requires a direct object (what you scour) or is followed by 'for' (what you are looking for). 'Scour' alone is incomplete.
Both involve cleaning by rubbing. 'Scour' implies using an abrasive agent or more force, often to remove something stubborn. 'Scrub' is a broader term for vigorous cleaning.
No, they are false friends. 'Scourge' (a whip or great affliction) comes from Latin 'excorrigia'. 'Scour' (to clean) comes from Middle Dutch 'scuren'.