disapproval If you say that someone scrounges something such as food or money, you disapprove of them because they get it by asking for it, rather than by buying it or earning it. Williams had to scrounge enough money to get his car out of the car park The government did not give them money, forcing them to scrounge for food. to get money or something you want by asking other people for it rather than by paying for it yourself scrounge for (scrunge (1900-2000)). be on the scrounge to be trying to get money or things you want by asking other people for them
obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling; "he is always shnorring cigarettes from his friends"