Scour vs. Search: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on November 6, 2023
To scour is to clean or polish by hard rubbing; to search is to look over or through for the purpose of finding something.
Difference Between Scour and Search
Scour and search, while both involve a focused effort, have distinct meanings and applications. The word "scour" primarily denotes a cleaning action, especially through hard rubbing or scrubbing. For instance, one might scour a dirty pan to remove burnt food. On the contrary, "search" refers to the act of trying to locate or find something. An individual might search for a lost item in their house.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
In some contexts, "scour" can also mean to search thoroughly or exhaustively, particularly over an area. A detective might scour the crime scene for evidence, which suggests a meticulous, detailed examination. However, "search" generally holds a broader meaning and can be applied to various scenarios, from searching a database to searching one's soul for answers. The intensity or method of the search isn't implicitly conveyed as it is with scour.
Muazma Batool
Nov 06, 2023
When we consider the realm of digital usage, "search" is a prevalent term. People search the internet for information using search engines. In digital contexts, "scour" isn't commonly used. However, in more physical or tactile situations, like cleaning, "scour" finds its relevance, pointing to the act of scrubbing vigorously.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
In essence, while both scour and search point to a form of examination, they differ significantly in their primary applications. Scour leans more towards a cleaning or polishing action, while search pertains to the act of finding or seeking out.
Leo
Nov 06, 2023
Scour vs. Search Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Clean or polish by hard rubbing
Look over or through to find something
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Intensity
Implies thoroughness or vigor
Neutral intensity, depends on context
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Scour vs. Search Definitions
◉Scour
Clean by rubbing vigorously.
I need to scour the burnt spots off this skillet.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
Try to find something by looking carefully.
She searched her purse for her keys.
Muazma Batool
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
Examine thoroughly in search of something.
They scoured the area for clues.
Muazma Batool
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
Inspect systematically.
The guards searched the vehicle at the checkpoint.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
Remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing.
She scoured the stain from the fabric.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To move around in, go through, or look through in an effort to find something
searched the room for her missing earring.
searched the desk for a pen.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
Roam in search of something.
He scoured the streets looking for a place to eat.
Olivia
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To make a careful examination or investigation of; probe
search one's conscience for the right thing to do.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To clean, polish, or wash by scrubbing vigorously
scour a dirty oven.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To seek data matching a word, phrase, or pattern of characters in
searched the internet for information about ostriches.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
(Law) To examine (a person or property) for the purpose of discovering evidence of a crime.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To remove dirt or grease from (cloth or fibers) by means of a detergent.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To search a place or space in order to find something
searched all afternoon for my wallet.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To make a careful examination or investigation
searching for the right words to say.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To use a search engine or other software to find any data matching a particular pattern.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
(Law) The examination of a person or property, as by a law enforcement officer, for the purpose of discovering evidence of a crime.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To search through or over thoroughly
The detective scoured the scene of the crime for clues.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
A control mechanism on an audio or video player that rapidly advances or reverses the playing of a recording.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
An attempt to find something.
With only five minutes until we were meant to leave, the search for the keys started in earnest.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
The act of searching in general.
Search is a hard problem for computers to solve efficiently.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
(transitive) To look in (a place) for something.
I searched the garden for the keys and found them in the vegetable patch.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To look thoroughly.
The police are searching for evidence in his flat.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
(transitive) To clean, polish, or wash (something) by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously, frequently with an abrasive or cleaning agent.
He scoured the burnt food from the pan.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city.
They are come to search the house.
Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
(transitive) To remove debris and dirt (from something) by purging; to sweep along or off by a current of water.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To inquire after; to look for; to seek.
I will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
Enough is left besides to search and know.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To clear the digestive tract (of an animal) by administering medication that induces defecation or vomiting; to purge.
to scour a horse
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To (cause livestock to) suffer from diarrhoea or dysentery.
If a lamb is scouring, do not delay treatment.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt.
Once more search with me.
It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
(transitive) To search an area thoroughly.
They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination.
Thus the orb he roamedWith narrow search, and with inspection deepConsidered every creature.
Nor did my search of liberty beginTill my black hairs were changed upon my chin.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
an investigation seeking answers;
a thorough search of the ledgers revealed nothing
the outcome justified the search
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
The removal of sediment caused by swiftly moving water.
Bridge scour may scoop out scour holes and compromise the integrity of the structure.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
an operation that determines whether one or more of a set of items has a specified property;
they wrote a program to do a table lookup
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
A place scoured out by running water, as in the bed of a stream below a waterfall.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
the examination of alternative hypotheses;
his search for a move that would avoid checkmate was unsuccessful
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
A place where wool is washed to remove grease and impurities prior to processing.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc., as articles of dress.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of;
The police are searching for clues
They are searching for the missing man in the entire county
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; - often with off or away.
[I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask,Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast.
Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
subject to a search;
The police searched the suspect
We searched the whole house for the missing keys
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To cleanse or clear, as by a current of water; to flush.
If my neighbor ought to scour a ditch.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
Examine a place or area to locate something.
The police searched the premises for evidence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
Probe or explore to uncover or understand.
He searched his feelings about the decision.
Olivia
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To cleanse anything.
Warm water is softer than cold, for it scoureth better.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Search
Request information from a database.
I searched the internet for that recipe.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
To run swiftly; to rove or range in pursuit or search of something; to scamper.
So four fierce coursers, starting to the race,Scour through the plain, and lengthen every pace.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
A place scoured out by running water, as in the bed of a stream below a fall.
If you catch the two sole denizens [trout] of a particular scour, you will find another pair installed in their place to-morrow.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
rinse, clean, or empty with a liquid;
flush the wound with antibiotics
purge the old gas tank
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Scour
Erode by fast-moving water.
The riverbanks were scoured by the rapid currents.
Nolan
Sep 24, 2023
Scour vs. Search Frequently Asked Questions
Is scouring always about cleaning?
While often about cleaning, "scour" can also mean to search thoroughly.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Does scour imply a more intense action than search?
Generally, yes. Scouring often indicates a vigorous or exhaustive effort.
William
Nov 06, 2023
Can you search for abstract things?
Yes, like searching for truth or searching one's feelings.
Elijah
Nov 06, 2023
Does searching always imply success in finding?
No, one can search without necessarily finding.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Is scour used in the context of digital data?
Rarely. "Scour" is more tactile, while "search" is often used in digital contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Can a person be scoured?
In the context of a thorough search, yes, but it's less common.
Lucas
Nov 06, 2023
Can search imply a physical action?
Yes, one can search a place, a bag, or even search someone for items.
Muazma Batool
Nov 06, 2023
Is it correct to say "scour the internet"?
While less common, it emphasizes a thorough search.
Elijah
Nov 06, 2023
When cleaning, can scour and search be used interchangeably?
Not always. One might search for dirt but scour it away.
Henry
Nov 06, 2023
Which word is older, scour or search?
Both have old origins, but "scour" traces back to Old Norse and "search" to Old French.
William
Nov 06, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
