scour

1 of 2verb

/ˈskaʊər/

Forms:scours,scouring,scoured,scoured

1

to clean something thoroughly by scrubbing it hard with a rough or tough material

transitive

She scoured the pots and pans to remove the stuck-on food.
The maid scoured the bathtub with a strong cleaner to remove soap scum.
He scoured the grill grates with a wire brush to remove burnt residue.
Before painting, he scoured the walls to remove any dirt or grease.
The hiker scoured his boots with a brush to remove mud from the trail.

Synonyms:

2

to conduct a thorough search of a place, text, or area in order to find something

transitive

The police scoured the neighborhood for any signs of the missing person.
He scoured the library shelves for the rare book he needed.
She scoured the report for any errors before submitting it.
They scoured the internet for information about the lost city.
He scoured the old records in search of his family’s history.

3

to wash or clear something by using a swift current of water

transitive

The river scoured the rocks, leaving them smooth and shiny.
The flood scoured the fields, removing layers of mud.
The heavy rain scoured the streets, washing away the debris.
The rapid flow of water scoured the bank, eroding the soil.
The floodwaters scoured the valley, clearing out the fallen trees.

Synonyms:

4

to remove dirt or unwanted matter by vigorous rubbing

transitive

He scoured the rust from the metal parts with a wire brush.
She scoured the dirt off the clothes with a powerful detergent.
She scoured the stains out of the carpet with a scrubbing sponge.
He scoured the mud from his shoes after the hike.
They scoured the dirt off the windowsills.

Synonyms: