scoop

An amount of food taken up with a deep, round spoon.

• I had one scoop of ice cream.
• She served two scoops of mashed potatoes.
• Would you like another scoop?

How to use it: a scoop of something (I would like a scoop of vanilla ice cream.)

Similar words: spoonful, helping

Common phrases: a scoop of something, one scoop each, another scoop please

A news story that one reporter or news organization discovers and reports before anyone else.

• The reporter got a major scoop.
• Her scoop appeared on the front page.
• The editor hoped for another scoop about the scandal.

How to use it: a scoop on/about something (The paper got a scoop on the mayor's resignation.)

Similar words: exclusive

Common phrases: get a scoop, a major scoop, scoop on something, an exclusive scoop

A deep, round spoon used to serve food, especially ice cream.

• Use a scoop for the ice cream.
• She washed the serving scoop after dinner.
• This scoop has a comfortable wooden handle.

Similar words: serving spoon

Common phrases: ice cream scoop, serving scoop, use a scoop, a metal scoop

A tool shaped like a small bowl, usually with a handle, for lifting loose or soft material.

• A scoop sits in the flour bin.
• He filled the bucket with a plastic scoop.
• These scoops are used for measuring animal feed.

Similar words: scooper

Common phrases: feed scoop, plastic scoop, a scoop for something, use a scoop

The large, curved part at the front of a loading machine that digs up and lifts material.

• The loader's scoop was full of gravel.
• He lowered the scoop into the pile of earth.
• The machine lifted its scoop above the truck.

Similar words: bucket, loader bucket

Common phrases: loader scoop, lower the scoop, a hydraulic scoop, fill the scoop

To lift or gather something with a curved tool, your hands, or a similar movement.

• Scoop the ice cream into bowls.
• He scooped water with his hands.
• She scooped up the kitten and carried it inside.

How to use it: scoop something into something (She scooped the rice into a bowl.); scoop something out of something (He scooped the seeds out of the melon.); scoop someone/something up (She scooped the baby up in her arms.)

Similar words: ladle, gather, lift

Common phrases: scoop something up, scoop out something, scoop into something, scoop ice cream

To make a hole or hollow space by digging or removing material.

• He scooped a hole in the sand.
• We scooped out the pumpkin with a spoon.
• She scooped a small hollow in the soft earth.

How to use it: scoop a hole in something (The children scooped a hole in the sand.); scoop something out (She scooped the pumpkin out before carving it.)

Similar words: hollow out, dig out, excavate

Opposites: fill

Common phrases: scoop a hole, scoop out something, scoop out a hollow

To publish a news story before another newspaper or reporter does.

• The local paper scooped its rivals.
• She scooped every other reporter with her interview.
• Who scooped us on the hospital closure?

How to use it: scoop someone on something (Our reporter scooped the national papers on the election story.)

Similar words: beat

Common phrases: scoop a rival, scoop someone on something