What does scrappy mean?
Scrappy is chiefly an informal adjective meaning energetic, determined, and unwilling to give up. It is especially common in descriptions of sporting performances, players, and competitive efforts, where it suggests resilience, tenacity, and hard-fought effort rather than polished skill. The word can also describe a person who is argumentative or inclined to quarrel, usually with a mildly critical or derogatory connotation. A less common sense refers to something made from scraps or leftovers. The related noun, also rare, denotes a small scrap or fragment and is generally used in the plural. Although scrappy can suggest conflict, its modern use is often complimentary when it characterizes a determined competitor or a spirited underdog. Its history lies in the idea of small pieces or fragments, from which its figurative meanings developed.
Scrappy describes someone or something that is energetic, determined, and unwilling to give up; it can also mean inclined to fight or quarrel.
"The substitute keeper made a series of scrappy saves."
The positive, determined sense is common in informal sports and performance contexts; the argumentative sense is more critical.
A scrappy is a small scrap, fragment, or leftover piece.
"She gave the scraps and small leftovers to the dog."
This noun is uncommon and is usually used in the plural.
The plural is possible but uncommon; the noun is ordinarily used in the plural.
"He put the vegetable scrappies in the stock pot."
Scrappy can call a boxer brave, a meal economical, and a child argumentative—all from the idea of small scraps.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scrappy come from?
Scrappy developed in the early nineteenth century from the noun scrap and the suffix -y. Its earliest uses included the senses “quarrelsome” and “made up of scraps or fragments.” The modern approving sense, meaning full of fighting spirit or determined effort, developed during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Related word forms
How scrappy is actually used
Scrappy is informal. It is often approving in sports and performance contexts, as in “a scrappy effort,” but can be critical or derogatory when it describes someone as argumentative or difficult.
Easily confused with scrappy
A scrap is a small piece or fragment of something, whereas scrappy is chiefly an adjective describing determination, vigor, or a tendency to quarrel.