Scavenge Meaning in English
word
Definition
To search for and collect things that others have thrown away, left behind, or discarded, often for food or useful materials.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for animals (like vultures or street dogs) searching for food, but also for people in survival or poverty situations. Can be literal (searching trash) or figurative (finding useful leftovers). More formal than 'dumpster dive;' 'scavenge for parts' is common in mechanics.
Example Sentences
Vultures scavenge for food in the wild.
basic
Sometimes, people scavenge in the trash for things they can use.
basic
The dog started to scavenge when he couldn't find his food.
basic
We had to scavenge for firewood after the storm knocked down the trees.
natural
He managed to scavenge some old bike parts to fix his own.
natural
You can sometimes scavenge great furniture from items left out on the street.
natural