Learn How to Pronounce scratch

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scratch

Definition:

(nou) an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off (nou) a depression scratched or carved into a surface (nou) informal terms for money (nou) a competitor who has withdrawn from competition (nou) a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game (nou) dry mash for poultry (nou) a harsh noise made by scraping (nou) poor handwriting (nou) a handicap of zero strokes (nou) an indication of damage

Phonetic Transcription:

skrætʃ

Examples:

He explains the origin of the scratch in the documentary film Scratch.

The victims began to itch and scratch.

Learn more about:
scratch

Related Words:

pain

How to perfect your pronunciation of: scratch

Learn Individual Sounds

Break scratch down into individual sounds such as skrætʃ. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of scratch pronunciation

Misplacing the "s" sound: Some learners pronounce "scratch" with a "sh" sound, leading to "shcratch". This is incorrect. The initial sound is /s/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Focus on making a clear "s" sound at the beginning.
Overemphasizing the "a": A common mistake is to pronounce the "a" in "scratch" as in "cat", resulting in "scratch". The correct pronunciation uses a schwa sound /ə/ in the unstressed syllable. Tip: Keep the "a" short and subtle.
Ignoring the "t" sound: Some may drop the "t" at the end, saying "scrac". This omission alters the word entirely. The final sound should be a clear /t/. Tip: Practice saying "scratch" slowly to ensure you pronounce the "t" distinctly.
Confusing vowel sounds: Learners might confuse the vowel sound in "scratch" with that in "scotch", pronouncing it as "scrotch". The correct vowel sound is /æ/ in US English and /æ/ in UK English. Tip: Listen to native speakers to catch the subtle differences in vowel pronunciation.
Stressing the wrong syllable: Some might incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "scrATCH". The primary stress is on the first syllable /ˈskrætʃ/ in both US and UK English. Tip: Emphasize the "scr" at the beginning when practicing.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "scratch" in American English?

In American English, "scratch" is pronounced as /skrætʃ/, with the primary stress on the first syllable. The vowel sound is a short "a," similar to that in "cat."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "scratch" between British and American English?

No, the pronunciation of "scratch" is the same in both British and American English, pronounced as /skrætʃ/. Both accents place the primary stress on the first syllable.

What are the syllables in the word "scratch"?

The word "scratch" has one syllable. It is a monosyllabic word, meaning it is pronounced all together without breaks.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "scratch"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress or pronouncing it as "screech." Remember to keep the "a" sound short and to emphasize the initial "scr" sound in "scratch."