scum
Translation
scum
Examples
He skimmed the scum off the soup.
He skimmed the scum off the soup.
They treated the prisoners like scum.
They treated the prisoners like scum.
Grammar Patterns
((scum)) a layer of dirt or froth on the surface of a liquid A layer of green scum covered the pond.
((scum)) a worthless or contemptible person or group of people He is absolute scum.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (literal) foam, froth, film; (figurative) dregs, riffraff, vermin
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *skuma- ('foam'), related to the verb 'skim'.
Memory Tips
Imagine the unpleasant film (scum) on stagnant water, then apply that feeling of disgust to a person or group of people.