What does scraper mean?
A scraper is most commonly a tool with a sharp or rough edge used to remove material from a surface, such as paint, ice, varnish, or residue. The word can also describe a person who collects or gathers objects, and, in modern computing, software that extracts information from websites or other digital systems. Its basic idea is movement across a surface to collect or remove something. In everyday use, “scraper” often suggests a practical hand tool, whereas “web scraper” or “data scraper” is a technical term associated with automated information collection. The word is useful because it connects a familiar physical action with its digital counterpart: in both cases, material or information is taken from a larger surface or source.
nounA tool used for scraping or removing material from a surface. The term can also refer to a person or device that collects information, especially one that extracts data from websites.
- A hand tool or implement with a sharp or rough edge used to scrape, scrape off, or remove material from a surface.
- A person who collects or gathers something, especially one who searches for discarded or reusable materials.
- A device, program, or service that extracts information from websites or other electronic systems.
"He used a scraper to remove the dried paint from the workbench."
"The scraper was effective at removing the old varnish from the table."
"The web scraper collected product prices from several online retailers."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The workers used different scrapers for paint and varnish."
A scraper can clean a window, remove paint, or harvest web data: one word covers a remarkable range of everyday and digital tasks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scraper come from?
The noun scraper was formed from the English word scrape by adding the suffix -er, a pattern that identifies an instrument or person associated with an action. Scrape comes through Middle English from Old English scrapan, an old Germanic verb with related forms in other Germanic languages. Over time, the meaning expanded from physically scraping a surface to gathering information, including the modern technical sense of extracting data from websites.
Related word forms
How scraper is actually used
The word is most commonly used for a physical tool. In computing, it usually refers to software that extracts data from websites; this use can have legal and ethical implications when applied without permission.
Easily confused with scraper
A scrap is a small discarded piece of material, whereas a scraper is the tool or device used to scrape or collect material.
Scrape is the action of rubbing, removing, or gathering material from a surface, while a scraper is the person or tool that performs that action.