Nicks vs. Scratch — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Nicks are small cuts or notches on a surface, while scratches are thin, superficial marks or lines caused by something dragging across a surface.
Difference Between Nicks and Scratch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Nicks are small, often shallow cuts or notches that usually occur when a sharp object makes contact with a surface. They tend to be localized and can be more noticeable due to their depth and defined edges. Scratches, on the other hand, are thin lines or marks typically caused by something being dragged or scraped across a surface. They are often less deep but can cover a larger area.
Nicks are often the result of accidental contact with sharp objects like knives or tools, and are commonly found on materials such as metal, wood, or plastic. Scratches can be caused by a variety of objects, ranging from fingernails to abrasive materials, and are common on surfaces like glass, paint, or electronic screens.
The impact of nicks is often more significant in terms of structural integrity because they can weaken the material at the point of the cut. Scratches are usually more cosmetic, affecting the appearance rather than the function of the object.
In repair, nicks might require filling or sanding to restore the surface, while scratches might be buffed out or polished depending on their depth and the material involved.
Nicks are typically less frequent but more severe, while scratches are more common but generally less damaging.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Small cuts or notches
Thin, superficial lines or marks
Cause
Sharp object contact
Dragging or scraping across a surface
Depth
Generally deeper
Generally shallower
Impact
Structural integrity can be affected
Primarily cosmetic impact
Common Materials
Metal, wood, plastic
Glass, paint, electronic screens
Repair Methods
Filling, sanding
Buffing, polishing
Compare with Definitions
Nicks
Affects a small, specific area.
The wooden table had a few nicks from moving it.
Scratch
Usually affects appearance.
The screen had minor scratches but still worked fine.
Nicks
Often fixed by filling the cut.
The carpenter filled the nicks with wood putty.
Scratch
Score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object
He scratched at a stain on his jacket
The car's paintwork was battered and scratched
Nicks
A tiny incision or indentation on a surface.
The blade had several nicks along its edge.
Scratch
Cancel or strike out (writing) with a pen or pencil
The name of Dr McNab was scratched out and that of Dr Dunstaple substituted
Nicks
Caused by sharp objects hitting a surface.
She nicked her finger while chopping vegetables.
Scratch
Play a record using the scratch technique.
He raps and scratches simultaneously to dazzling effect
Nicks
Frequently found on cutting tools.
His old knife had several nicks from heavy use.
Scratch
A mark or wound made by scratching
The scratches on her arm were throbbing
Nicks
A shallow notch, cut, or indentation on an edge or a surface
Nicks in the table.
Razor nicks on his chin.
Scratch
A technique, used especially in rap music, of stopping a record by hand and moving it back and forwards to give a rhythmic scratching effect
A scratch mix
Nicks
Chiefly British Slang A prison or police station.
Scratch
(in sport) the starting point in a race for a competitor that is not given a handicap or advantage
A 631-metres handicap, when the excellent stayer, Too Fast, will be off scratch
Nicks
(Printing) A groove down the side of a piece of type used to ensure that it is correctly placed.
Scratch
Money
He was working to get some scratch together
Nicks
To cut a nick or notch in.
Scratch
Assembled or made from whatever is available, and so unlikely to be of the highest quality
City were fielding a scratch squad
Nicks
To cut into and wound slightly
A sliver of glass nicked my hand.
Scratch
(of a sports competitor or event) with no handicap given
He was a scratch player at many courses
Nicks
To cut short; check
Nicked an impulse to flee.
Scratch
To make a thin shallow cut or mark on (a surface) with a sharp instrument.
Nicks
(Slang) To cheat, especially by overcharging.
Scratch
To use the nails or claws to dig or scrape at.
Nicks
To steal.
Scratch
To rub or scrape (the skin) to relieve itching.
Nicks
To arrest.
Scratch
To scrape or strike on an abrasive surface.
Nicks
Plural of nick
Scratch
To write or draw (something) by scraping a surface
Scratched their initials on a rock.
Scratch
To write or draw hurriedly
Scratched off a thank-you note.
Scratch
To strike out or cancel (a word, for example) by or as if by drawing lines through.
Scratch
(Slang) To cancel (a project or program, for example).
Scratch
To withdraw (an entry) from a contest or competition
The jockey decided to scratch the horse when it sprained its ankle.
Scratch
To withdraw an entry from (a contest or competition)
Having won three races already, the swimmer scratched her final event.
Scratch
To use the nails or claws to dig, scrape, or wound.
Scratch
To rub or scrape the skin to relieve itching.
Scratch
To make a harsh scraping sound.
Scratch
To gather funds or produce a living with difficulty.
Scratch
To withdraw from a contest or competition.
Scratch
(Games) To make a shot in billiards that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball falls into a pocket or jumps the cushion.
Scratch
A mark resembling a line that is produced by scratching.
Scratch
A slight wound.
Scratch
A hasty scribble.
Scratch
A sound made by scratching.
Scratch
(Sports) The starting line for a race.
Scratch
A contestant who has been withdrawn from a competition.
Scratch
The act of scratching in billiards.
Scratch
A fluke or chance shot in billiards.
Scratch
Poultry feed.
Scratch
(Slang) Money.
Scratch
Done haphazardly or by chance.
Scratch
Assembled hastily or at random.
Scratch
(Sports) Having no golf handicap.
Scratch
To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
Could you please scratch my back?
Scratch
To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
Scratch
To irritate someone's skin with one's unshaven beard when kissing.
Scratch
To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).
A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass.
Scratch
(of a surface) to get such scratches
This platter scratches easily.
Scratch
To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
Scratch
Hence, to remove, ignore, or delete.
Scratch what I said earlier; I was wrong.
When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows.
Scratch
(music) To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
Scratch
(billiards) To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table.
Scratch
To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
Scratch
To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.
Scratch
(ambitransitive) To dig or excavate with the claws.
Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
Scratch
To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.
The cat scratched the little girl.
Scratch
To announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports meeting that they were previously signed up for, usually in lieu of another event at the same meeting.
Scratch
A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already.
Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.
Scratch
An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
The dog sat up and had a good scratch.
Scratch
(sports)
Scratch
A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
Scratch
A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.
Scratch
(cycling) The last riders to depart in a handicap race.
Scratch
(billiards) An aberration.
Scratch
(horse racing) A horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start.
There were two scratches in race 8, which reduced the field from 9 horses to 7.
Scratch
(meiosis) An injury.
It's just a scratch!
Scratch
(slang) Money.
Scratch
A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.
Scratch
(in the plural) Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.
Scratch
A scratch wig.
Scratch
(music) A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.
Scratch
Scrawled or illegible handwriting; chicken scratch.
Scratch
For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.
Scratch
Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation
Scratch
(computing) Relating to a scratchpad, a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
Scratch memory
Scratch
(sports) (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.
Scratch
To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws, the nails, a pin, or the like.
Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch glass.
Be mindful, when invention fails,To scratch your head, and bite your nails.
Scratch
To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.
Scratch
To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a list; hence, to erase; to efface; - often with out.
Scratch
To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
Scratch
To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches.
Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor scratch.
Scratch
To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
Scratch
A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound, mark, furrow, or incision.
The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work.
These nails with scratches deform my breast.
God forbid a shallow scratch should driveThe prince of Wales from such a field as this.
Scratch
A line across the prize ring; up to which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence, test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the scratch; to come up to the scratch.
Scratch
Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.
Scratch
A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
Scratch
A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
Scratch
In various sports, the line from which the start is made, except in the case of contestants receiving a distance handicap.
Scratch
Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards.
Scratch
An abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
Scratch
A depression scratched or carved into a surface
Scratch
Informal terms for money
Scratch
Dry mash for poultry
Scratch
A harsh noise made by scraping;
The scrape of violin bows distracted her
Scratch
Poor handwriting
Scratch
An indication of damage
Scratch
Cause friction;
My sweater scratches
Scratch
Cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
Scratch
Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching;
Don't scratch your insect bites!
Scratch
A shallow mark on a surface.
The cat left scratches on the door.
Scratch
Created by dragging an object across.
The car's paint had scratches from the bushes.
Scratch
Often fixed by buffing or polishing.
He polished out the scratches on his watch.
Scratch
Found on glass and screens.
The phone had a few scratches from being in her pocket.
Common Curiosities
What is a scratch?
A scratch is a thin, superficial line or mark caused by something dragging across a surface.
How can nicks be repaired?
Nicks can be repaired by filling and sanding the damaged area.
Can nicks affect the structural integrity of an object?
Yes, nicks can weaken the material at the point of the cut.
Which is deeper, a nick or a scratch?
A nick is generally deeper than a scratch.
Are scratches usually cosmetic?
Yes, scratches primarily affect the appearance rather than the function.
Can scratches be prevented?
Scratches can be prevented by avoiding abrasive contact and using screen protectors.
What is a nick?
A nick is a small cut or notch on a surface, often caused by a sharp object.
Which surfaces are more prone to scratches?
Surfaces like glass, paint, and electronic screens are more prone to scratches.
How are nicks caused?
Nicks are typically caused by sharp objects making contact with a surface.
How do scratches occur?
Scratches occur when an object drags or scrapes across a surface.
How can scratches be repaired?
Scratches can often be repaired by buffing or polishing.
Are nicks common in everyday objects?
Yes, nicks are common in tools and utensils subjected to sharp objects.
Can nicks be prevented?
Nicks can be prevented by careful handling and using protective covers.
Are scratches common in everyday objects?
Yes, scratches are common on items like phones, glasses, and cars.
Which surfaces are more prone to nicks?
Surfaces like metal, wood, and plastic are more prone to nicks.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
