scum
1 of 2noun
ˈskəm 
1
a
: extraneous matter or impurities risen to or formed on the surface of a liquid often as a foul filmy covering compare pond scum sense 2
b
: the scoria of metals in a molten state : dross
c
: a slimy film on a solid or gelatinous object
2
a
: refuse
b
: a low, vile, or worthless person or group of people
scummy
ˈskə-mē
adjective scum
2 of 2verb
scummed; scumming
intransitive verb
: to become covered with or as if with scum
Synonyms
Noun
- proletariat
- rabble
- rabblement
- ragtag and bobtail
- riffraff
- rout
- tag, rag, and bobtail
- tagrag and bobtail
- trash
- unwashed
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun Boil the chicken and use a spoon to remove any scum that floats to the surface. claimed that only scum lived in that part of town
Recent Examples on the Web
oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 Maybe there’s a ring of residue in the tub, signs of mold or mildew on the tile or grout, pinkish scum on the shower curtain or slimy stuff on the rubber bathmat. Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2021 Rinse to wash away germs, mold, water spots, and soap scum. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 This little toughie in Scotch-Brite’s classic wavy shape was comfortable to hold and cleaned everything from grimy cookware to bathroom soap scum with ease and without scratching. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 Warm water, sunlight and nutrients can cause blue-green algae to reproduce quickly, or bloom, causing clear water to turn into thick, green scum. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 Bits of litter floated atop scum on a pond where people used to kayak and fish. New York Times, 28 May 2022 There, solids gradually settle out and form a layer of sludge on the bottom, and grease floats to the top, forming a scum layer. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 He’s been swung at in Cabot, Arkansas; arrested in Dimmitt, Texas; called scum in more than forty states. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 Jim Newell, Slate Magazine, 18 May 2017 See More
Noun
The Oregon Health Authority recommends that people keep an eye out for visible signs of bloom in other areas of the river and stay out of the water in locations with visible scum. oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 Maybe there’s a ring of residue in the tub, signs of mold or mildew on the tile or grout, pinkish scum on the shower curtain or slimy stuff on the rubber bathmat. Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2021 Rinse to wash away germs, mold, water spots, and soap scum. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2022 This little toughie in Scotch-Brite’s classic wavy shape was comfortable to hold and cleaned everything from grimy cookware to bathroom soap scum with ease and without scratching. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 Warm water, sunlight and nutrients can cause blue-green algae to reproduce quickly, or bloom, causing clear water to turn into thick, green scum. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 Bits of litter floated atop scum on a pond where people used to kayak and fish. New York Times, 28 May 2022 There, solids gradually settle out and form a layer of sludge on the bottom, and grease floats to the top, forming a scum layer. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 He’s been swung at in Cabot, Arkansas; arrested in Dimmitt, Texas; called scum in more than forty states. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 Verb
Lieberman is the scummiest scumbag who ever scummed. Jim Newell, Slate Magazine, 18 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Middle Dutch schum; akin to Old High German scūm foam
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1661, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing scum
Kids Definition
scum
noun
ˈskəm
1
: a film of matter that rises to the top of a boiling or fermenting liquid
2
: a coating (as of algae) on the surface of still water
3
: a loathsome person
scums
noun
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others ignore the heckler—he's complete scum Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bastards
- jerks
- clowns
- dogs
- scumbags
- skunks
- idiots
- jokers
- skunk
- creeps
- morons
- brutes
- vermin
- dirtbags
- villains
- rotters
- buggers
- rats
- bounders
- swine
- reptiles
- louses
- beasts
- cretins
- brats
- boors
- louts
- toads
- heels
- snakes
- slimeballs
- slimes
- schmucks
- cads
- stinkers
- cruds
- pills
- blighters
- varmints
- buzzards
- sods
- nuisances
- barbarians
- bleeders
- fools
- curs
- finks
- stinkards
- sleazeballs
- sleazebags
- churls
- savages
- scuzzballs
- sleazes
- sons of guns
- lowlifes
- crumbs
- so-and-sos
- hounds
- scoundrels
- so-and-so's
- chuffs
- slobs
- nerds
- lowlives
- wretches
- loudmouths
- imbeciles
- nuts
- vulgarians
- rat finks
- scabs
- rogues
- roughnecks
- dopes
- miscreants
- rascals
- cavemen
- goons
- dolts
- blockheads
- scamps
- boobies
- snobs
- airheads
- nincompoops
- ninnies
- dinks
- jackasses
- snots
- dufuses
- pests
- doofuses
- dorks
- nitwits
- schmoes
- dweebs
- nits
- turkeys
- snips
- Neanderthals
- half-wits
- insolents
- birdbrains
- snoots
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- heroes
- gentlemen
- idols
- ladies
- heroines
- saints
- angels
- role models