scratchcard
B1informal
Definition
Meaning
A small card with a coated area that you scratch off to reveal whether you have won a prize, typically used in lotteries or promotions.
Any card or ticket with a concealed area that is revealed by scratching; can metaphorically refer to situations where outcomes are revealed by removing a surface layer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun. The concept is based on instant revelation of hidden information. Often associated with gambling, luck, and instant gratification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'scratchcard'. In American English, 'scratch-off' or 'scratch ticket' are more common alternatives.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: chance, gambling, instant win/loss.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English as a standalone term; in US English, 'scratch-off' is equally or more common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
scratchcard for [prize/purpose]scratchcard with [feature]scratchcard from [source]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's like a scratchcard – you never know what you'll get until you try.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing for promotional giveaways or customer engagement campaigns.
Academic
Rare; might appear in studies about gambling behavior or probability.
Everyday
Common when discussing lottery, small stakes gambling, or promotional games.
Technical
Used in printing or gaming industry to describe a specific product type.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He scratchcarded his way to a small win.
- They scratchcard every weekend for fun.
American English
- She scratchcarded three tickets but won nothing.
- We scratchcarded at the convenience store.
adverb
British English
- He played scratchcard-ly, hoping for luck.
- She checked the results scratchcard-quick.
American English
- He bought tickets scratchcard-often.
- They revealed it scratchcard-style.
adjective
British English
- scratchcard game
- scratchcard winner
American English
- scratchcard lottery
- scratchcard promotion
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I bought a scratchcard at the shop.
- She won five pounds on her scratchcard.
- He scratched the silver coating off the scratchcard to see if he had won.
- Many people buy scratchcards for a bit of fun.
- The charity fundraiser included scratchcards as a way to engage donors.
- Despite the odds, he persists in buying scratchcards every Friday.
- The psychological appeal of scratchcards lies in the instant gratification of revealing a potential prize.
- Regulations govern the maximum prize values for scratchcards sold in newsagents.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SCRATCH to reveal + CARD = scratchcard. Like scratching a lottery card to see if you win.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A SCRATCHCARD (outcomes are hidden until you take action to reveal them).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'царапательная карта'. Use 'лотерейный билет с стирающимся слоем' or 'скретч-карта' (loanword).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scratch card' as two words (should be one word or hyphenated: scratchcard/scratch-card).
- Confusing with 'credit card' or 'gift card'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a scratchcard?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as one word (scratchcard) or sometimes hyphenated (scratch-card), especially in older texts.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'to scratchcard'), but it's non-standard. The standard verb phrase is 'to scratch off a scratchcard'.
A scratchcard is a type of lottery ticket where the result is revealed instantly by scratching. Other lottery tickets may involve waiting for a draw.
No, they can also reveal discounts, free items, or promotional messages, though cash prizes are most common.