What does scab mean?
A scab is primarily the dry, protective crust that develops over a healing wound. The word can also describe a shallow sore, a plant disease that produces crusted lesions, and, in informal or political usage, a worker who continues working during a strike. In that last sense, the term is strongly derogatory and is often associated with the idea of breaking a strike. As a verb, scab means to form a crust over a wound during healing. Although the medical sense is ordinary and often describes a visible sign of recovery, the extended senses can make the word confrontational. Understanding all of these meanings is useful because “scab” moves easily from describing a physical condition to describing people involved in labor disputes.
A dry crust that forms over a healing wound or sore.
"A thick scab covered the cut on his arm."
Neutral medical description; also used metaphorically for a shallow sore and for certain plant diseases.
A worker who continues working during a strike, especially one who replaces striking workers.
"The demonstrators accused the replacement workers of being scabs."
Strongly derogatory; especially common in labor disputes and political speech.
A contemptible or unscrupulous person.
"He was a scab for betraying his friends."
Informal and derogatory, with a broader insulting use beyond the labor context.
To form a scab or crust over a wound as it heals.
"The sore scabbed over during the week."
Usually intransitive and descriptive of a wound healing.
The plural is used for multiple crusts or sores, and also for workers accused of continuing work during a strike.
"The doctor told him not to pick the scabs off his hands."
A scab is a visible sign of healing, though the word can also turn a simple worker into an object of contempt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scab come from?
The English noun and verb descend from Old English sceabb, referring to a crust or sore and also to the act of forming a crust. The word belongs to a Germanic family of terms connected with roughness and crusts, with related forms in other Germanic languages. Later English developed the occupational sense for a worker who continued working during a strike, while the adjective scabby preserves the older association with sores and crusts.
Related word forms
How scab is actually used
In its medical sense, scab is neutral and commonly refers to the protective crust over a wound. The meanings referring to a worker or a contemptible person are derogatory and may carry political or labor-movement connotations. As a verb, scab usually means to form a scab or heal by forming one.
Easily confused with scab
Scab is a crust or sore, whereas scabious is an herbaceous plant whose name refers to a resemblance to scabs.