scratchie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “scratchie” mean?
A lottery ticket with a coating that can be scratched off to reveal whether it is a winner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lottery ticket with a coating that can be scratched off to reveal whether it is a winner.
Informal term for a scratch card or instant lottery ticket; sometimes used to refer to something that is hastily or roughly made.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'scratch card' is the standard term; 'scratchie' is rare and understood as an informal variant. In American English, 'scratch-off' or 'scratch ticket' is standard; 'scratchie' is very rare and may not be widely understood.
Connotations
In regions where it is used, 'scratchie' has a casual, playful connotation compared to the more formal 'scratch card'.
Frequency
Highest frequency in Australian English; low to negligible in British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “scratchie” in a Sentence
buy + scratchiewin + with + scratchiescratch + (off) + scratchieVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “scratchie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to scratchie the card quickly.
- I'm going to scratchie this and see if I'm lucky.
American English
- She scratched off the scratchie. (Note: 'scratchie' as noun, 'scratched off' as verb)
- They don't sell scratchies here, only draw tickets.
adverb
British English
- He won scratchily on his first try. (Note: derived, not common)
- The prize was revealed scratchily. (Note: derived, not common)
American English
- The coating came off scratchily. (Note: relates to the verb 'scratch', not specifically to 'scratchie')
- N/A for common usage.
adjective
British English
- It was a scratchie ticket he found in his coat pocket.
- The scratchie game had a top prize of £10,000.
American English
- He bought a scratch-off ticket, not a draw game. (Note: 'scratch-off' is the standard adjectival form)
- The convenience store has a new scratchie lottery. (rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in informal discussions of retail or gambling industries.
Academic
Extremely rare; not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation, primarily in Australia and New Zealand, when discussing lottery games.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; regulatory or industry terms like 'instant lottery game' are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “scratchie”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “scratchie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “scratchie”
- Using 'scratchie' in formal writing or in regions where it is not common, leading to confusion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'scratchie' is an informal, colloquial term. More formal equivalents are 'scratch card' or 'instant lottery ticket'.
It is not recommended. The term is very rare in American English and may cause confusion. Use 'scratch-off' or 'scratch ticket' instead.
A scratchie (scratch card) gives an immediate result when you scratch off a coating. A regular lottery ticket (or draw ticket) has numbers you choose and must wait for a scheduled draw to see if you win.
Rarely. The standard verb is 'to scratch (off)'. While one might informally say 'I'm going to scratchie this', it's non-standard. The noun usage is primary.
A lottery ticket with a coating that can be scratched off to reveal whether it is a winner.
Scratchie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskrætʃi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskrætʃi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a scratchie winner (meaning: something is not a quick or easy success)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cat making a scratch on a ticket to reveal a prize.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVELATION IS SCRATCHING (a surface action reveals hidden information/value).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'scratchie' most commonly used and understood?