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
Synonyms
Examples of scum in a Sentence
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
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024
Potatoes, onions, and fresh whitefish are all boiled together, and then a bunch of kerosene is thrown on the flame to make the kettle boil over and dump out all the scum from the fish that would otherwise remain on top of the mixture.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2024
Jim Newell, Slate Magazine, 18 May 2017
See all Example Sentences for scum 
Noun
Build up can combine with laundry detergent soap scum to leave a film on the agitator drum.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024
Potatoes, onions, and fresh whitefish are all boiled together, and then a bunch of kerosene is thrown on the flame to make the kettle boil over and dump out all the scum from the fish that would otherwise remain on top of the mixture.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2024
Verb
Lieberman is the scummiest scumbag who ever scummed.
—Jim Newell, Slate Magazine, 18 May 2017
See all Example Sentences for scum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scum
Cite this Entry
“Scum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scum. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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