How to pronounce "scratch" in English
skrætʃ
SKRACH
Primary stress: SKRACH
Hear native speakers say scratch in context across real video clips
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “scratch”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
SKRACH
Elevated pitch, sustained vowel length, and full acoustic clarity.
As a single-syllable word, "scratch" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Single-syllable words like "scratch" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech.
How Native Speakers Say It: Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "scratch" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When "scratch" is followed by a word starting with a vowel, glide the final consonant into the opening vowel (e.g. "scratch is" sounds like "scratch-iz").
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "scratch" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Authentic Spoken Quotes from Native Video Context
“scratch the surface um and when I say that we only scratch the surface we”— YaleCoursesWatch clip
“scratch them they actually appear to be bleeding and I thought that was appropriately horrifying and would work”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“scratch where if you sit back whether you do it or somebody else does it it's like damn”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“scratch he has created The Number One Bank in Europe Bank of santand there and”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“scratch all it wasn't like organic but it was because that's just what they did”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
“scratch at 25 years old with out the capital to do it and without the”— Native SpeakerWatch clip
Practice Speaking “scratch”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
scratch the surface um and when I say that we only scratch the surface we
Hear it in context: “scratch”
5,221 clipsThe English word “scratch” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as skrætʃ (phonetic respelling: SKRACH). Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (SKRACH), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “scratch” functions as a verb, noun, adjective and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. SayItVid indexes 5,221 authentic English video clips demonstrating how native speakers articulate “scratch” in natural connected speech across American (US: 8 sampled), British (UK), and Australian (AUS) accents, including verified broadcasts from YaleCourses.
Spoken Video Transcripts & Contextual Quotes (5 Verified Clips)
- 🇺🇸 USYaleCoursesClip #1 · @0:11
“just that it's happening right here in in uh own backyard and that we only scratch the surface um and when I say that we only scratch the surface we didn't talk about uh work that's going on and making fuels from algae we didn't”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #2 · @4:17
“words they have red sap so if you scratch them they actually appear to be bleeding and I thought that was appropriately horrifying and would work bleeding and I thought that was”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #3 · @31:14
“area what does it mean to create life from scratch where if you sit back whether you do it or somebody else does it it's like damn like damn”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #4 · @39:45
“fantastic leader that is Emilio botin from Spain he has been a guy that from scratch he has created The Number One Bank in Europe Bank of santand there and also because he's a Ferrari sponsor so I always say he's the best in the the”
- 🇺🇸 USClip #5 · @49:47
“up faster than I could get to her at 87 years old cooking everything from scratch all it wasn't like organic but it was because that's just what they did they used all heirloom animals like sheep and goats so they had heirloom”
Definition & Meaning: “scratch”
- To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
- To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
- A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
- An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
- For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
- Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation
Example Sentences (3)
- “Could you please scratch my back?”
- “I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.”
- “scratch the surface um and when I say that we only scratch the surface we”
Pronounce: “scratch”
- Pronunciation:
- SKRACH
- Syllables:
- SKRACH
- Written Hyphenation:
- scratch
- Primary stress:
- SKRACH
- IPA:
- skrætʃ
- Hear it in context
- scratch
Synonyms: “scratch”
Hear words related in meaning to “scratch” in real video clips:
Words that Rhyme with “scratch”
-ætʃWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"scratch" (⁄skrætʃ⁄) has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "scratch" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about scratch
How do you pronounce “scratch”?
“scratch” is pronounced ⁄skrætʃ⁄ (SKRACH). Listen to the native-speaker clips above to hear it in real conversation.
Where is the stress in “scratch”?
The primary stress in “scratch” is on “SKRACH”. Listen for that stressed syllable in the clips above.
What does “scratch” mean?
To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
How can I hear “scratch” used in real sentences?
This page has 5221 real-world video examples of “scratch” with synchronized subtitles. Use Previous / Next (or ← / → keys) to hear each one at the exact moment it is spoken.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “scratch”?
Single-syllable words like "scratch" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech. Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "scratch" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.