What does scum mean?
Scum is an old, blunt English word with both a literal and a derogatory figurative use. Literally, it means an unwanted film or layer of material floating on the surface of water or another liquid, as in soap scum or the scum that gathers on a neglected pool. Figuratively, it refers contemptibly to people regarded as worthless, dishonest, or morally repugnant, often in expressions such as “the scum of the earth.” The figurative sense is considerably more conspicuous in everyday use and carries a strong insulting tone, so careful speakers normally reserve it for unequivocal denunciation. Although “scum” can sound crude, it remains common in journalism, political rhetoric, fiction, and informal speech. The verb “scum” is less frequent: it can describe the formation of a surface film, and it can also mean to remove such material from a liquid.
An unwanted film or layer of material floating on a liquid; contemptibly, a group of people regarded as worthless or morally objectionable.
"He scraped the scum from the surface before serving the soup."
The literal sense is normally an uncountable mass noun. The figurative sense is highly derogatory.
To form or become scum, especially as a film on the surface of a liquid; to remove scum from something.
"The pot should be skimmed so that the broth does not scum over."
The verb is less common than the noun, particularly outside cooking, industrial, or wastewater contexts.
The literal mass use of the noun normally has no plural. The plural scums is possible when the word is used countably for especially contemptible people.
"The novel portrays the scums of a corrupt political movement."
Scum can mean floating dirt on water—or, figuratively, people regarded as the lowest elements of society.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scum come from?
The English word appeared in Middle English in the sense of foam or froth and is generally traced to a Germanic source. It has close cognates in modern German Schaum, Dutch schuim, and Swedish skum, all referring to foam, froth, or scum. Over time, English extended the word from a physical film on a liquid to contemptible people considered the lowest or most objectionable part of a group.
Related word forms
How scum is actually used
The word is strongly derogatory when applied to people and is rarely suitable in neutral or formal contexts. In its literal material sense, it is usually uncountable in British and American English.