scum
scum — noun
- scumsingular
- scumsplural
1. dirt, grease, or foam that collects in a thin, unpleasant layer on the surface a
dirt, grease, or foam that collects in a thin, unpleasant layer on the surface after a liquid has been heated or left standing
Femi skimmed the grey scum off the surface of the soup with a spoon.
collocation: skimmed the scum off
After boiling the chickpeas, Paloma noticed scum rising to the top of the pot.
collocation: scum rising to the top
A thick green scum covered the surface of the pond near Tamás's house.
The hot chocolate sat too long and a strange scum formed on top.
Lucas left the stock simmering, then scraped the scum away before adding vegetables.
- film
thinner and more neutral; a film on water may be clean, like oil or dust, while scum always suggests dirt
- froth
a mass of small bubbles, often light and pleasant (e.g. on coffee); scum is always unpleasant
- residue
what remains after a process; it can sink or stick to surfaces, not necessarily float on top like scum
2. a hurtful term for a person or a group of people who are viewed as dishonest, cr
a hurtful term for a person or a group of people who are viewed as dishonest, cruel, or without value
After the fraud came out, Mira called the company's directors nothing but scum.
collocation: nothing but scum
Yael refused to speak to the scum who had cheated her elderly father.
Outside the courthouse, a crowd chanted that the aides who stole hurricane relief were scum of the worst kind.
Eri called the thieves scum after they stole medicine from the village clinic.
Dario called the man scum for lying to the frightened refugees at the shelter.
- lowlife
similarly informal and insulting, but refers more to a petty criminal or disreputable individual than a group
- villain
more dramatic; often used for fictional bad characters or notorious figures, less everyday than scum
- degenerate
more formal and old-fashioned; carries a moral-judgement tone but lacks the raw contempt of scum
文法句型
scum (uncountable, never 'a scum')
用法筆記
Always uncountable in this sense — say 'he is scum,' never 'he is a scum.' This is a very offensive insult; use it with great caution.
常見錯誤
scum — verb
- scumpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scums3rd person singular
- scumming-ing form
- scummedpast simple
1. to develop a thin, dirty layer on the surface, especially of a liquid that has b
to develop a thin, dirty layer on the surface, especially of a liquid that has been left to stand
The pond in Diego's garden scummed over after three weeks of hot weather.
collocation: scummed over
The broth scummed on top after Elena forgot to cover it last night.
The basin scummed over in the heat, so Tamás poured the water out.
The tea on Naledi's balcony had scummed by morning and was no longer drinkable.
The bucket of rainwater scummed over, drawing mosquitoes to the yard.
文法句型
scum + over
scum + on top
用法筆記
Most commonly used with 'over' or 'on top.' The subject is always a liquid or a body of water. Unlike the related noun sense, the verb describes the process of the layer forming, not the act of removing it.