scour

clean with abrasive / search thoroughly / sweep across

Transitive VerbIntransitive VerbNoun

past: scouredpp: scoureding: scouring

This word evokes a sense of intense, abrasive effort. When used for cleaning, it suggests a physical struggle against stubborn grime, implying the use of rough materials to strip away a layer of dirt or oxidation. In the context of searching, it shifts from physical abrasion to mental or visual intensity. It describes a meticulous, exhaustive examination where no stone is left unturned, often associated with urgency or desperation.

Meanings

Transitive Verb

[~ something]

To clean a surface by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive material or a scouring pad.

"She had to scour the burnt pot for ten minutes to get it clean."

Transitive Verb

[~ something for something]

To search a place or a text thoroughly and intensely in order to find something specific.

"The detectives scoured the crime scene for any trace of DNA."

Intransitive Verb

[~]

To move rapidly over a surface, often in a sweeping or searching motion.

"The wind scoured across the open plains, stripping away the topsoil."

Noun

The action of cleaning a surface by rubbing it hard with an abrasive.

"The heavy scour of the abrasive powder left the metal shining."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error